In a landmark decision, the High Court of Kenya has ruled that all police officers deployed during public protests must be in uniform and must not conceal their identities. This decision follows a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), after the tragic shooting of Rex Masai during the June 25, 2025, Gen Z protests that rocked Nairobi.
The LSK argued that plainclothes officers have been involved in numerous cases of police brutality and extrajudicial killings, yet they often escape accountability due to lack of visible identification. According to the petition, these undercover officers blend into protest crowds, violating the right to peaceful assembly protected under Article 37 of the Constitution.
In its ruling, the court agreed with the LSK, stating that police officers must be clearly identifiable when managing public demonstrations. The judge emphasized that transparency is essential for justice and to build public trust in law enforcement.
The court also ordered the Inspector General of Police to refrain from deploying plainclothes officers during demonstrations, a move many see as a significant victory for civil rights in Kenya.
This judgment is expected to shape future law enforcement operations, especially during politically charged events. It also sends a strong message: the rights of protesters must be respected, and those in power must be held accountable.
By Kenyans