A Kenyan court on Thursday suspended a police ban on protests in Nairobi.
The Milimani Law Courts ruled that the ban will remain suspended pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by a Kenyan NGO challenging the police directive.
On Wednesday, the acting police inspector general banned protests in Nairobi’s central business district (CBD) and surrounding areas indefinitely, citing a lack of leadership to ensure peaceful demonstrations.
The suspension came ahead of a planned protest where demonstrators were expected to march to the president’s office.
On Thursday (Jul. 18), police were heavily deployed around the CBD, patrolling the streets, and cordoning off major roads leading to the president’s office.
Nairobi has been the epicenter of youth-led protests, which have also spread across the country. Police have been accused of shooting dead protestors, which led to the resignation of former inspector general Japheth Koome.
The government spokesperson said on Thursday that the ongoing month-long protests have caused economic losses amounting to $45 million. Isaac Mwaura urged protestors to embrace patriotism.
