IG Kanja Risks 6 Months in Prison
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has lodged a petition against Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, accusing him of contempt of court.
The petition claims that Kanja allegedly deployed masked officers to disrupt a peaceful demonstration by citizens heading to present their grievances to the Office of the President on September 24.
The LSK argued that Kanja’s actions breached an August court order requiring police officers to display their service numbers and remain identifiable while those exercising their rights under Article 37 of the Constitution.
In addition, the petition stated that plainclothes officers should not conceal their identity, making it difficult to recognize them during their duties.
According to the LSK, the police have repeatedly violated these directives by deploying officers with hidden service numbers, disregarding the court’s orders.
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The LSK also accused the police chief of breaching Articles 10, 73, 159, and 244 of the Constitution by failing to comply with the August 14 court ruling.
The petitioners have requested the court to convict Kanja for contempt and seek a six-month prison sentence for the police boss as per legal requirements.
However, the sentence could be suspended if the police IG provides a written commitment to adhere to the court order within 14 days and promises not to repeat the offense.
The LSK emphasized that granting these orders is crucial to uphold the dignity of the court and to ensure justice is served.
This petition follows a High Court order summoning Kanja to address the disappearance of Wajir MCA Yussuf Ahmed, requiring him to either produce the MCA or appear in court on September 27 alongside the DPP, Renson Ingonga.
The LSK had filed a separate case demanding that the police boss explain the whereabouts of Ahmed, who was allegedly abducted on September 13.
IG Kanja Risks 6 Months in Prison
