Amnesty Warns Police Against Excessive Force Ahead of Possible Protests Over Fuel Price Hike

Amnesty Warns Police Against Excessive Force Ahead of Possible Protests Over Fuel Price Hike

Nairobi — Amnesty International has issued a cautionary statement to the National Police Service ahead of anticipated protests over rising fuel prices, urging restraint and strict adherence to constitutional provisions on the right to peaceful assembly.

In a statement released on Monday evening, the rights organisation reminded law enforcement agencies that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the freedom to assemble, demonstrate, and present petitions peacefully and unarmed, as enshrined under Article 37.

The advisory comes amid growing public discontent following recent fuel price adjustments announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which have sparked calls for nationwide demonstrations, particularly among youth mobilising through social media platforms.

“The Police bear a primary responsibility for collectively facilitating and protecting this right, not for suppressing it. The purpose of protest notifications is to coordinate public safety, not to request permission,” Amnesty stated.

Call for Protection, Not Suppression

Amnesty directed its appeal to Inspector General Douglas Kanja, urging the police leadership to ensure that officers deployed during the demonstrations prioritise the safety of participants and uphold the law.

The organisation emphasised that the role of police during protests is not to control or silence dissent but to create an environment where citizens can exercise their rights without fear of intimidation or violence.

“The Constitution guarantees every person the right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully. Law enforcement must facilitate—not frustrate—this right,” the statement added.

Concerns Over Past Conduct

In its warning, Amnesty referenced previous demonstrations where it documented cases of excessive force, including the use of tear gas, arbitrary arrests, harassment of journalists, and obstruction of medical personnel.\

The organisation cautioned that such actions not only violate constitutional rights but could also expose individual officers and their commanders to personal and criminal liability.

“Individual officers and their commanders may be held personally responsible for violations of human rights and constitutional protections,” Amnesty warned.

The group further cited recent court rulings that have clarified the limits of police conduct during public demonstrations, particularly regarding the use of firearms.

“The Court was categorical that firearms may only be used where strictly unavoidable to protect life, and that treating protest situations as battlefields is impermissible in a constitutional democracy,” the statement noted.

Rising Tensions Over Fuel Prices

The warning comes against a backdrop of heightened public frustration following the latest EPRA fuel price review. Earlier this month, petrol prices rose to over Ksh206 per litre before a subsequent revision lowered the cost to approximately Ksh197.60, while diesel dropped to around Ksh196.63 after government intervention.

Despite the reduction, many Kenyans argue that the prices remain prohibitively high, intensifying calls for protests scheduled for Tuesday, April 21.

Online campaigns, particularly on platform X, have gained momentum, with users rallying citizens to take to the streets in protest against the rising cost of living.

Balancing Security and Rights

As the country braces for potential demonstrations, the spotlight is now firmly on how security agencies will manage the situation. Analysts note that the handling of the protests could significantly shape public trust in law enforcement and the government’s commitment to upholding civil liberties.

Amnesty reiterated that while maintaining public order is a legitimate responsibility of the police, it must not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms.

The organisation called for professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights, urging authorities to ensure that any response to the protests remains proportionate and lawful.

With tensions running high, Tuesday’s demonstrations are expected to test the delicate balance between public dissent and state authority, placing Kenya’s democratic principles under renewed scrutiny.

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