On Friday, June 27, the High Court made a strong decision to protect peaceful protesters in Kenya. The court told the police to stop using teargas, water cannons, or any violent methods in places where people are trying to get medical help.
The court said clearly: No teargas or attacks in hospitals, ambulances, mosques, churches, or any medical camps. This came after a petition by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), which said that police were harming people who were already hurt.
The judge, Bahati Mwamuye, said it was wrong for police to throw teargas where people were getting treated or hiding for safety. The ruling added that police are not allowed to use teargas in cars, buildings, or small spaces where people can’t escape easily.
During the big protest on June 25 in Nairobi, KHRC said police attacked a medical tent at Jamia Mosque and hurt both injured protesters and doctors. They also claimed that police blocked roads to Kenyatta National Hospital to stop more injured people from getting help.
KHRC said this is not new. In last year's protests (June 2024), police even threw teargas inside churches like All Saints Cathedral.
After the court's ruling today, KHRC said they are happy. They believe this will save lives and protect basic rights during future protests.
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