Ruto defends police roadblocks, blasts court order on protest restrictions

President William Ruto In Dagoretti North where he assessed construction progress at the 540 housing units' project. [Ruto, X]

President William Ruto has strongly criticised a recent High Court ruling that barred the Inspector General of Police from erecting roadblocks or interfering with protests in Nairobi and its environs.

Ruto took issue with petitioners (Katiba Institute) who moved to court to challenge the actions of police during the July 7 Saba Saba protests, terming the decision a threat to public safety and property rights.

“It is unfortunate that someone would go to court to stop the police from setting up roadblocks or using tear gas and water cannons to protect lives and property. Ironically, the same people have officers guarding their homes,” Ruto said.

The remarks came hours after Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued conservatory orders restraining the IG from interfering with peaceful protests.

The ruling followed a petition filed by the Katiba Institute, which argued that the police had violated constitutional rights by sealing off key roads leading into Nairobi on July 7, effectively blocking demonstrators from accessing the city centre.

Justice Mugambi found that the National Police Service had infringed on fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and assembly, as guaranteed under Articles 37 and 39 of the Constitution.

“Pending the hearing of the application, a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the 1st Respondent, the Inspector General of the National Police Service, or any officer subordinate to him, from suspending Articles 37 and 39 of the Constitution by cancelling, disrupting, or interfering in any way with the right to assemble, protest, or picket while peaceful and unarmed,” Justice Mugambi ruled.