COURT CLEARS AIR ON ROADBLOCKS

The Judiciary has clarified that the High Court did not prohibit the Inspector General of Police from barricading roads in Kenya. In a statement issued this week, the Judiciary emphasized that the court’s decision does not bar police from implementing road closures during emergencies or protests.
Instead, the ruling mandates that the Inspector General provide the public with timely notice before any such closures are made. This is aimed at ensuring transparency and allowing Kenyans to plan their travel and daily activities accordingly.
“The court’s directive is not a ban,” the Judiciary noted. “Rather, it seeks to ensure that the Inspector General respects the public’s right to information and freedom of movement by issuing prior notice.”
This clarification follows widespread public confusion after a ruling by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, which some interpreted as a blanket restriction on police powers during unrest, especially after recent road barricades in Nairobi amid anti-government protests.