Police barricade roads near Supreme Court ahead of full ruling

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet Photo:Courtesy

Roads near Supreme Court in Nairobi were Wednesday morning barricaded ahead of the release of full judgment of the nullified presidential polls.

Anti-riot police were positioned on City Hall Way, Taifa Road and part of Wabera Street directing away motorists and pedestrians.

A huge police barricade was also placed outside the Supreme Court signaling no through way.

A similar blockade was imposed before September 1 as the court heard the case that led to the nullification of the results.

The latest blockade came after the Judicial Service Commission accused Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet of ignoring their calls to beef up security for judicial officials and precincts in the wake of threats.

The IG denied the claims and said every judge has armed officer and all courts are protected.

The concern of JSC came out after protesters blocked litigants from accessing Kerugoya law courts where Martha Karua is challenging the election of Anne Waiguru as the Kirinyaga Governor.

On Wednesday, police said they would not allow protests outside the Supreme Court. A group of Jubilee supporters blocked the entrance of the court for hours accusing judges there of stealing their alleged victory.

Boinnet also warned against blocking of major roads in protest against or for the Supreme Court.

“We will not allow anyone to block roads. Social media users are also warned to desist from spreading lies and threats,” he said.

This warning came a day after Jubilee supporters blocked Nairobi-Nakuru highway, at Maimahiu and Nyeri-Karatina road in protest against the Supreme Court ruling that nullified the presidential polls of August 8.

The protests inconvenienced many motorists with traffic jam snaking for up to 20 kilometers away on some roads.

Police are now under instructions to disperse any group blocking roads. Chaos broke out outside Supreme Court in Nairobi when police used tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters that had blocked the entrance for almost six hours. Tens of anti-riot police have been put on standby to act in case of violence ahead of the release the judgment.

Police are positioned in major police stations ready for action.