The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) called out acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli after masked people armed with batons were spotted in protests.
In a joint statement with the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) on Thursday, August 8, LSK demanded that the acting IG stop deploying uniformed or masked officers to contain the protests.
The society further called on the police to refrain from using unmarked vehicles, those with distorted number plates or those with no legal registration.
It similarly demanded that policing operations be effectively commanded to ensure that the use of force complies with the principles of necessity.
"LSK has been drawn to media reports showing people masked and armed with large wooden batons threatening to violently disrupt any form of gathering. We call upon the acting Police Inspector General to refrain from deploying ununiformed or masked police officers dressed in hoodies, balaclavas or other attire in an attempt to hide their identities," read part of the statement.
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It further read, "Excessive lethal and non-lethal must not be used against protesters who do not pose an imminent threat of death or serious injury."
LSK also noted that it was concerned with reports of harassment of leaders of social justice centers by the police.
"We are also deeply concerned by the harassment of leaders of Social Justice Centers by the National Police Service and other state agencies who have either arrested these leaders, summoned them and demanded several documents this week.
"We condemn this use of intimidation tactics designed to force them to withdraw from participating in protests. We call upon the police to refrain from arbitrarily arresting individuals," LSK added.
It noted that it will continue to monitor and document police behaviour during protests, with the aim of holding police commanders to account for any violations.
