The High Court has let Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja off with a warning after finding him guilty of contempt for blocking roads in Nairobi during the June 25, 2026 protests.
Justice Patricia Nyaundi said there was no need to punish him further this time, but cautioned that any repeat would attract a stiffer penalty.
The judge said she considered that Kanja had appeared in court in person in the company of senior officers, and had committed to relay the court order to all officers under his command with an assurance the violation would not happen again.
The IG had been held personally liable for contempt after police erected roadblocks and barricades across Nairobi on June 25 without giving the public notice as directed by an earlier court order.
The case stemmed from a conservatory order issued in July 2025 that compels the National Police Service to inform the public before mounting emergency roadblocks or barricades.
While delivering her ruling, Justice Nyaundi said: “On this particular occasion, I shall pardon you with a stern warning that if there is a recurrence, I shall not hesitate to consider a custodial sentence.”
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