Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has escaped a possible jail term after the High Court found that police had breached orders barring the barricading of roads during demonstrations.
Kanja appeared personally before the court alongside senior police officers and assured the judge that the National Police Service would comply with the order going forward.
The judge said Kanja’s personal attendance and commitment to respect the directive warranted leniency, and consequently pardoned him over the contempt.
The court, however, made it clear that the reprieve should not be interpreted as a licence for another breach.It warned that if the police violate the same order again, Kanja could be committed to jail.
During the proceedings, Kanja demonstrated to the court how officers would implement the directive in future and said he had instructed those under his command to strictly comply with court orders.
The court noted that the earlier failure to comply had interfered with citizens’ freedom of movement, stressing that contempt proceedings were necessary to protect the authority of court orders and uphold the rule of law.
While Kanja walks away without a custodial sentence this time, the court has put the police chief on notice that any repeat violation could have serious consequences.
The court directed the National Police Service to strictly observe the order against barricading roads during demonstrations and said a detailed ruling would set out the police service’s responsibilities in ensuring compliance with the law.
The contempt proceedings arose from allegations that police officers failed to comply with an existing High Court order prohibiting the barricading of roads during demonstrations.
The court moved to address the alleged breach and required the police leadership to account for how the directive was being implemented.
