President William Ruto has faulted a court order barring the use of police road barricades during demonstrations.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 9, Ruto criticized the order delivered by the constitutional court, terming it unfair to millions of citizens who deserve protection from lawlessness.
“I have seen that today, someone in court has said that the Inspector General of Police should not block roads, should not use tear gas, should not use water cannons to protect the lives of other Kenyans,” Ruto stated.
According to president Ruto, Justice Lawrence Mugambi enjoyed perks that included protection and security, which he denied the common citizen through his ruling.
“The one saying so, in his case, has police who protect and drive him,” Ruto said moments after the ruling.
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The head of state further defended the excessive use of tear gas, water cannons and road barricades to control masses during protests, arguing that the move was necessary to safeguard properties and maintain order.
“Honestly, how can anyone say that the police cannot protect the lives and property of other Kenyans? There’s a reason why roadblocks exist. There’s a reason why police have tear gas and water cannons. These are tools to protect Kenyans when they are in danger,” he insisted.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi on Wednesday passed a ruling restraining officers from using barricades to bar protestors from accessing the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) during demonstrations, following a petition by the Katiba Institute.
On the application front, lawyer Joshua Nyawa argued that the police orders put in place subjected Kenyans to unconstitutional directives, risking the mutilation of the Bill of Rights.
"The Inspector General of Police (IG) is abusing the security agency to violently silence and punish citizens voicing their opposition to the current state of affairs in Kenya, in the streets of towns and cities, and online," stated Nyawa.
