NAIROBI, Kenya — The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Police Reforms Working Group have issued a public safety advisory ahead of the planned June 25, 2026, Gen Z memorial processions, calling on the National Police Service (NPS) to facilitate peaceful gatherings and uphold constitutional rights.
In a joint statement released on June 24, the organisations said the nationwide memorial processions are intended to commemorate victims of the June 2024 anti-government protests and fall squarely within the constitutional rights to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions peacefully.
The groups reminded police that their primary role is to facilitate and protect the exercise of those rights rather than seek to restrict them.
“These memorial processions, widely framed in public discourse as peaceful acts of remembrance, solidarity and continued calls for accountability, fall squarely within the constitutional right of every person to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully and unarmed under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya,” the statement said.
The advisory comes amid heightened public attention over security preparations for the commemorations, with police maintaining that they have not received formal notification for any planned gathering in Nairobi.
The organisations argued that notification requirements under the Public Order Act are intended to facilitate coordination and public safety, not to serve as a mechanism for seeking permission to protest.
Warning Against Excessive Force
The groups raised concern over what they described as a history of excessive force during protests, unlawful arrests, and attacks on journalists, medics, and human rights defenders.
They cited ongoing criminal proceedings against individual police officers and commanders linked to alleged human rights violations during previous demonstrations.
The advisory also referenced recent court decisions and standing directives, which, according to the organisations, reaffirm that force by law enforcement officers must be strictly regulated and proportionate.
The groups stressed that the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons against peaceful demonstrators should be prohibited.
“Police commanders must exercise lawful command responsibility. Senior officers will be held accountable for violations committed by officers under their leadership,” the statement added.
Seven Key Demands
The organisations outlined seven guidelines for police conduct during the memorial processions.
Among them, they called for protection of participants and bystanders, clear identification of deployed officers, protection of journalists covering the events, and unrestricted access for medical personnel and human rights observers.
They further urged police to ensure that any arrests are lawful, targeted, and based on individual responsibility, warning against collective punishment of peaceful protesters.
The statement also called for immediate reporting of any deaths or serious injuries to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and full cooperation with oversight investigations.
Appeal for Peace
While defending the right to peaceful assembly, the groups urged all parties to avoid violence and uphold public order during the commemorations.
“Public order and human rights are not mutually exclusive. As Kenyans gather to remember those who lost their lives and demand accountability, we call on all parties to uphold fundamental freedoms and ensure there is no excessive use of force, violence, and further loss of life,” the statement said.
The advisory was jointly endorsed by LSK, the Police Reforms Working Group, and several human rights organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Defenders Coalition, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), and other civil society groups.
The June 25 commemorations are expected to draw participants across the country as families, activists, and civil society organisations mark the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests and renew calls for accountability over deaths, injuries, and alleged human rights violations linked to the demonstrations.
