What You Need to Know
Amnesty International has urged the National Police Service in Kenya to ensure the protection of protesters’ rights during planned anti-fuel price demonstrations. The organization emphasized that the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and warned against the use of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of journalists. Amnesty called for accountability among police,,
Africa-Press – Kenya. Amnesty International has asked the National Police Service to provide security to protesters during tomorrow’s planned anti-fuel price demos.
Amnesty said the National Police Service (NPS) is reminded that the Constitution of Kenya guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions peacefully and unarmed under Article 37.
“The police bear a primary responsibility for collectively facilitating and protecting this right, not for suppressing it. The purpose of protest notifications is to coordinate public safety, not to request permission,” the agency said in a statement issued on Monday.
It added; “Considering past protests, during which Amnesty International Kenya documented excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, harassment of journalists, and obstruction of medical personnel, we remind the NPS that individual officers and their commanders may be held personally and criminally liable for violations of human rights, the Constitution, and Kenyan law.”
Recent court decisions and the 34 guidelines contained in the July 2025 Interior Ministry policy directive on the use of police force and firearms have reaffirmed these obligations and standards, the organisation said.
In its advisory, Amnesty NPS must facilitate peaceful assemblies and ensure the safety of all participants and bystanders and that peaceful protesters must not be dispersed, arrested, or intimidated simply for exercising their constitutional rights.
The human rights agency said all police commanders must exercise lawful command responsibility, adding that senior officers will be held accountable for unlawful acts committed by officers under their supervision, including excessive use of force and failure to prevent abuse.
“All police officers actively deployed must be clearly identifiable by uniform, name tags, and service numbers, in line with court orders and policing standards,” Amnesty’s Executive Director Irungu Houghton, said.
Irungu said the use of force must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and a last resort and that police officers must prioritise de-escalation and dialogue.
“The use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, or water cannons against peaceful protesters is prohibited. Particular care must be taken in residential areas, near schools, hospitals, and other public spaces.”
The agency said journalists and media workers must be protected and allowed to operate freely while strongly urging the State to refrain from any shutdown, disruption, or interference with media houses, journalists, internet access, or live broadcasting of the demonstrations.
“Any such actions would amount to unlawful restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information, which are protected under the Constitution and international human rights law.”
The agency further says health workers, human rights observers, and other neutral parties must always be protected and granted safe passage and that they must not be targeted, obstructed, or subjected to force while carrying out their duties.
“All arrested persons must be informed promptly of the reasons for arrest, granted access to legal counsel, offered bond or bail where applicable, and presented before a court within 24 hours, in accordance with the Constitution.”
Any deaths or serious injuries must be immediately reported to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
“The NPS must fully cooperate with IPOA and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, including by preserving and surrendering all relevant evidence,” Irungu added.
In Kenya, the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Constitution, allowing citizens to express their grievances through demonstrations. However, past protests have often been marred by police violence, leading to calls for reform and adherence to human rights standards. Amnesty International has consistently advocated for the protection of these rights, highlighting the need for police accountability and lawful conduct during public gatherings. The organization emphasizes that the police’s role is to facilitate peaceful protests rather than suppress them, reflecting a broader global trend towards safeguarding civil liberties.
