NAIROBI, KENYA — The High Court in Nairobi has ruled that police officers deployed during demonstrations must wear full uniform and ensure their faces are visible, in a move towards greater accountability.
The order follows a legal challenge brought by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in connection with the death of Rex Masai.
The LSK had sought to prevent the Inspector General of Police from deploying plainclothes officers to manage protests.
The court heard arguments from the LSK asserting that a lack of clear identification, such as uniforms and visible identification, was linked to instances of unlawful killings and police brutality.
The LSK contended that the presence of officers in civilian clothing allowed them to blend with peaceful protestors exercising their rights under Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution.
Furthermore, the court was told that these officers did not carry any identifying marks, making them indistinguishable from the general public.
The ruling is seen as a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the policing of public demonstrations in Kenya.
