Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been pardoned by the High Court after being found in contempt over police roadblocks and barricades mounted in Nairobi during the June 25, 2026 protests.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi discharged Kanja on Monday, September 28, after he appeared before the court for mitigation and apologised over the failure to comply with an existing court order. The judge, however, warned that a repeat violation could attract a custodial sentence.
The case arose from police operations during commemorations of the June 2024 Finance Bill protests, when officers erected barriers and restricted access to several roads leading into Nairobi's Central Business District.
The court had previously directed police to issue timely public advisories before putting up emergency roadblocks or barricades, allowing members of the public to plan their movements.
In a September 17 ruling, Justice Nyaundi found Kanja personally responsible for failing to ensure that officers under his command complied with the order. The court rejected the argument that the roadblocks were spontaneous security responses that could be exempted from the notice requirement.
Kanja had denied wilful disobedience. His lawyers argued that there was no evidence that he personally authorised the specific roadblocks and maintained that police officers had acted in response to security concerns surrounding the demonstrations.
During Monday's proceedings, however, the police chief apologised and assured the court that he had issued fresh instructions to commanders requiring compliance with the judicial order in similar circumstances.
Justice Nyaundi said Kanja's personal appearance, apology and undertaking to ensure future compliance had influenced her decision to pardon him.
The judge nevertheless stressed the importance of obeying court orders, warning that the court would consider imprisonment if the police chief was again found to have violated the same directive.
The proceedings also highlighted the tension between police security operations during demonstrations and constitutional protections, particularly the freedom of movement.
Kanja's case had attracted attention because the court's initial contempt finding exposed him to possible sentencing. His discharge means he avoids punishment for the current violation, although the warning leaves open the possibility of a custodial sentence if a similar breach occurs in future.