Vocal Africa Statement On Court Ruling That Police Should Not Hide Their Faces During Protests

VOCAL Africa commends today's decision by the High Court requiring that all police officers deployed to manage or oversee public assemblies, demonstrations, or picketing must be in official uniform and must not conceal their identities.

This decision is not just timely, it is essential. For years, communities across Kenya have raised grave concerns about the presence of unidentified officers at protests and public gatherings, often linked to unlawful arrests, harassment, and in some cases, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The inability to identify officers has undermined accountability and created a culture of impunity.

The Court's directive reinforces the Constitution of Kenya, particularly Article 37, which guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities. By requiring visible identification of officers, the decision strengthens public trust, enhances transparency, and creates a clear path for redress in the event of police misconduct.

We commend the Law Society of Kenya for presenting this matter before the court and securing a decision that upholds public order and reinforces the rule of law. VOCAL Africa urges the National Police Service to comply fully with the directive and calls on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to closely monitor enforcement. Any violation of this directive must be met with swift and public consequences.

The right to protest is not a privilege, it is a protected freedom. Every Kenyan must be free to exercise their constitutional freedoms without fear, intimidation, or violence. We will continue to monitor the implementation of this ruling and support communities in demanding justice and accountability wherever and whenever rights are violated.

Hussein Khalid, Chief Executive Officer.