The National Police Service has warned Kenyans against participating in unlawful assemblies ahead of anticipated protests over rising fuel costs, saying security agencies were closing in on “goons” allegedly mobilised by political actors across the divide to infiltrate demonstrations and foment violence.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the National Police Service had heightened security operations to deal with what he described as a troubling surge in politically instigated thuggery.
“We further reiterate that the alarming surge in political violence and thuggery, instigated by leaders across the political divide through the use of goons and criminal gangs, constitutes a direct threat to national security and will not be tolerated,” Mr Kanja said.
Mr Kanja cautioned the public against joining gatherings that could spiral into violence, urging demonstrators to adhere to the law and comply with police directives during protests.
“Avoid participating in unlawful assemblies that may escalate into violence,” he said, adding that members of the public should “respect all lawful instructions issued by police officers during operations or public gatherings.”
The police chief said authorities were also concerned about what he described as a disturbing pattern of coordinated attacks targeting police stations, officers and other critical installations in recent months.
“These criminal acts are not merely unlawful,” he said. “They represent a grave and direct assault on national security, public safety and community stability.”
Mr Kanja also warned that attacks on police facilities would be treated as attacks on the public itself.
“Police stations are not just buildings. They are the bedrock of public safety, emergency response and the first line of defence. To attack a police station is to attack the very security of the public it serves.”
He said the police service had activated comprehensive strategies, including intensified operations to ensure those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.
“This includes intensifying operations to bring perpetrators swiftly to justice, thereby establishing an unassailable precedent that will deter further offenders,” he said.
At the same time, Mr Kanja reminded officers that their conduct must strictly adhere to the law, citing obligations under the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the National Police Service Act.
“Every action, whether during patrols, investigations, alerts or public order management, must be lawful, proportionate and professional,” he said. “Respect for human rights, due process and the rule of law is non-negotiable.”
He pointed to progress in security operations, saying the country recorded a five per cent drop in the national crime rate in 2025 compared with 2024, which he attributed to intensified police action against terrorism networks, organised criminal groups, cybercrime, burglary and illicit drug trafficking.
Kenyan police have also gained international recognition for leading the multinational security support mission in Haiti, backed by the United Nations, with other officers serving in peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
