The High Court in Kisumu has summoned the Inspector General of Police, the National Police Service (NPS) and the Attorney General.
According to reports, the court wants the three respondents to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for failing to comply with orders requiring the development and publication of public order management regulations.
The court issued the summons on Tuesday after finding that the respondents had failed to comply with orders issued on March 25, 2026, directing them to prepare, develop and publish regulations governing public demonstrations and picketing within 90 days.
The orders arose from Petition No. 15 of 2024, filed by victims and survivors of the 2023 anti-government protests in Kisumu, who sought justice over alleged police brutality during the demonstrations.
According to court, the directive was informed by the court’s findings during the hearing of the petition.
“That directive arose from what the court observed first-hand in this petition. For far too long, many have died and been maimed while either trying to exercise that right or while being innocent bystanders. One death is too many,” the court said.
The court further faulted the respondents for failing to seek an extension of time before the deadline expired.
“If the first, second and third respondents felt they would be unable to comply with the directive, nothing would have been easier than filing an application for extension of time before today,” it added.
Describing the failure as “blatant disobedience of clear court orders,” Justice Mabeya stressed that court orders are binding and not optional.
