Kenya court suspends police ban on protests in Nairobi

Before court decision, police had barred protests in the capital indefinitely amid continuing antigov’t demonstrations.

A Kenyan court has suspended a police ban on protests in the capital, stating that citizens have a right to demonstrate peacefully.

Before the High Court’s decision on Thursday, police had barred protests in Nairobi indefinitely, saying they lacked leadership that would ensure peaceful demonstrations.

The judge issued a “conservatory order” to prevent the ban from being enforced, pending a final ruling on the case. The court said it will hold another hearing on July 29.

The suspension came before a planned protest, in which demonstrators were expected to march to the president’s office calling for his resignation over poor governance.

The acting police inspector general, Douglas Kanja, said in a statement that the lack of leadership had “made it difficult to enforce safety protocols”.