The High Court in Nairobi has directed all police officers to wear nametags and uniforms when engaging with protesters, a move aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in law enforcement. High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye issued the ruling on Wednesday in response to a suit filed by Florence Wairimu on July 31. The court’s order mandates that uniformed police officers and those acting under the National Police Service (NPS) must affix a visible nametag or service number when dealing with individuals who are assembling, demonstrating, picketing, or petitioning. The ruling also prohibits plainclothes officers from wearing balaclavas or attempting to conceal their identities.
The directive comes in the wake of complaints and video evidence of plain-clothed individuals, believed to be police officers, forcefully abducting protesters during the recent anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations. Concerns were raised about officers wearing face masks while enforcing arrests, leading to accusations of impunity and a lack of accountability within the NPS.
In response, Commandant of the Kiganjo Training College, Gideon Nyale, stated that police officers are legally allowed to wear civilian clothes for intelligence gathering but must adhere to operational orders. Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed Amin, addressing the Kenya Editors Guild, denied any involvement in kidnappings, asserting that those arrested by the DCI are taken to gazetted police stations. Amin also criticized media reports suggesting DCI’s involvement in extrajudicial activities, asserting his clear conscience on the matter.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) had weighed in on the issue, issuing a stern letter to Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli. The LSK condemned the deployment of civilian police officers during the Nane Nane protests and called for strict adherence to the use of uniforms, marked vehicles, and legal registrations. LSK President Faith Odhiambo expressed concerns about the NPS’s plans to deploy officers in balaclavas, highlighting the risks to accountability and transparency. The LSK’s letter also criticized the excessive use of force, abductions, and harassment of Social Justice Center leaders during the protests.
The Nane Nane protests in Nairobi saw heightened security measures, with roadblocks and anti-riot police patrolling key areas. The normally busy Thika Road was notably quiet, and businesses in the central business district remained closed, reflecting the tense atmosphere as demonstrators and police prepared for potential clashes.