Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been pardoned by the High Court in a contempt case over police roadblocks and barricades across Nairobi during the June 25, 2026, protests.
The decision was made by Justice Patricia Nyaundi after Kanja personally appeared before the court and assured the judge that the National Police Service (NPS) would comply with court orders in the future.
While sparing the police boss from punishment, the court warned against any repeat violation.
“Noting that you have attended court in person, appreciating that you have undertaken and given assurance that this will not happen again, I shall pardon you,” read the ruling.
The case stemmed from widespread road closures around the Nairobi Central Business District during demonstrations commemorating the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z anti-Finance Bill protests.
Several Rights groups, including Katiba Institute, challenged the police action, arguing it violated existing court orders requiring advance notice before roads could be blocked.
Nyaundi Issues Stern Warning to Police Boss
In her ruling delivered on September 28, Justice Nyaundi said she would not impose a punitive sentence on Kanja despite the contempt finding, citing his personal appearance before the court and his commitment to ensure compliance with judicial orders going forward.
The judge noted that Kanja appeared in court accompanied by senior police officers and undertook to communicate the court’s directives throughout the police command structure to prevent future violations.
However, Nyaundi made it clear that the pardon should not be interpreted as a license for future disobedience of court directives.
According to the ruling, the court would not hesitate to impose a custodial sentence should similar conduct recur. Nyaundi stressed that obedience to court orders remains a cornerstone of constitutional governance and the rule of law.
Kanja had initially been scheduled to appear before the court for mitigation and sentencing after being found personally liable for contempt earlier this month.
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