Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has been ordered to appear before the High Court on September 22 for mitigation and sentencing after the court found him personally responsible for contempt over police barricades mounted during the June 25 Finance Bill protest anniversary.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi found Kanja in contempt after police blocked several roads leading into Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD), despite an existing court order requiring officers to give the public prior notice before putting up roadblocks or barricades during the demonstrations.
The judge directed Kanja to attend court on Tuesday, September 22, when he will be allowed to make submissions in mitigation before the court proceeds to sentencing.
“I hereby direct Douglas Kanja to attend court on September 22, 2026,” the judge stated during the proceedings.
The case relates to police operations on June 25, 2026, when officers erected barriers at several roads and entry points into Nairobi as Kenyans gathered to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill protests.
The conservatory order, issued in July 2025, directed police to notify the public before putting up roadblocks or barricades in connection with demonstrations marking the anniversary of the protests.
Despite the order, police blocked a number of routes and entry points, including Uhuru Highway, Moi Avenue, Parliament Road, Roysambu, Kangemi, Ngong Road, City Mortuary Roundabout, Integrity Centre, Karen, Kitengela, Ruiru and Githurai.
The restrictions also prevented some families from accessing Parliament to lay flowers, while police fired tear gas and arrested 355 people across the country.
The police action led to a legal challenge by the Katiba Institute, which accused officers of violating the court's directions by erecting the barriers without giving the required public notice.
“The conduct set out above constitutes a direct and deliberate violation of the orders of this Honourable Court and warrants immediate judicial intervention,” the institute wrote in its contempt of court application.
The police disputed the contempt allegations, with Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohammed Mohamud arguing that the measures used on June 25 were not part of a centrally coordinated operation that would make the Inspector General personally responsible for every roadblock.
Police also argued that the court order did not completely bar officers from using roadblocks, security checkpoints or traffic diversions.
However, Justice Nyaundi ruled that Kanja had failed to demonstrate that sufficient measures had been taken to ensure police compliance with the court's directions.
The judge particularly pointed to the requirement that members of the public be given prior notice before roadblocks or barricades were put in place.
Kanja will therefore return to court on September 22 to present his mitigation before the court determines the sentence arising from the contempt finding.