Renowned for his philosophy of peaceful protest and his tireless fight against poverty and caste discrimination, Indian lawyer, politician, and writer Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Nonviolence is an intensely active force when properly understood and used.” 

Gandhi dedicated his life to resisting discrimination against Indians and leading the struggle for India’s independence – a goal finally achieved on August 15, 1947.

Among the many significant political and social reforms he inspired, he stood out for his ability to rally the Indian people through peaceful civil disobedience against oppressive British policies. 

A defining moment in this nonviolent resistance was the Salt March. On March 12, 1930, at age 61, Gandhi set out from his ashram with 78 volunteers, walking 241 miles to the coastal village of Dandi.

There, he symbolically picked up salt—a small act that directly defied British law and sparked a movement that would culminate in India’s independence 17 years later. 

Lasting systemic change 

Gandhi’s legacy underscores a powerful truth echoed in various corners of the world: peaceful resistance has the potential to bring about lasting systemic change. 

In Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955, African American civil rights activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus—an act of defiance that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

At the time, Black passengers made up about 70 per cent of the city’s bus ridership, yet they were forced to sit at the back. 

Parks’ arrest ignited a year-long boycott led by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. that ultimately forced the US Supreme Court to declare bus segregation unconstitutional in 1956. Parks later reflected, “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”Her quiet courage earned her the title “mother of the civil rights movement.” 

US grape boycott 

In the 1960s, American labour leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez led another powerful nonviolent campaign – a five-year strike in Delano, California, that mobilised over 2,000 farmers to demand fair wages for Filipino and Latino farm workers.

His 25-day hunger strike and a national grape boycott, supported by over 17 million Americans, eventually forced reforms in America’s agricultural labour system. 

But could such peaceful protests succeed in Kenya today? 

That question looms large in the minds of many Kenyans – especially in the wake of recent demonstrations that have turned deadly, often degenerating into violent confrontations between protesters and police.

Shoot-to-maim orders, looting, and destruction have become tragically common, raising fears that peaceful protests may be an illusion under current conditions. 

Mombasa-based security analyst Abdi Daib believes that the mindset of protesters and police makes peaceful demonstrations virtually impossible. 

“The police view protesters as hooligans, and the protesters see the police as trigger-happy,” says Daib, who holds a master’s degree in terrorism, security, and policing from the University of Leicester in the UK.

“These two are like petrol and fire.” 

Restraint and professionalism 

Still, he believes that peaceful protests are possible, but only if both sides act with restraint and professionalism. 

“A good example was the June 25 anniversary protest in Mombasa. Police escorted the demonstrators peacefully. If that approach is adopted consistently, we can reclaim the spirit of peaceful protests,” he says.

“But as long as police leave their stations armed to the teeth — ready for confrontation — even peaceful intentions will end in chaos.” 

Daib also blames political infiltration for fanning the flames of violence. 

“Politicians have hijacked the protest space. Those opposed to the government provoke harder reactions, while pro-government actors infiltrate to disrupt and escalate tensions. The result is bloodshed,” he explains.

“In other countries, authorities allow protests to run their course without interference. But in Kenya, the agenda is always diverted.” 

Rule of law 

On the other hand, activist Mwanase Ahmed, who describes herself as an “active citizen”, believes peaceful protests are entirely possible — if the state respects the rule of law and the Constitution. 

“Our Constitution guarantees the right to protest. We have people in office, paid by taxpayers, to protect us and our property. So yes, peaceful protests can happen—absolutely,” she says. 

But Mwanase accuses the state of deliberately sabotaging peaceful picketing through violence. 

“During recent protests, we’ve witnessed a disturbing collusion between police and politically sponsored goons,” she says.

“Police have turned a blind eye to looters and vandals, who are often seen walking side by side with officers. The intention is clear — to portray the protests as violent and discredit the movement.” 

She adds that as long as institutions like the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) continue to operate under political influence, peaceful protests will remain under siege. 

“As long as the DPP continues to prosecute innocent Kenyans on trumped-up charges, and as long as the rule of law remains suspended, the space for peaceful protest will keep shrinking,” she says.

“But if those in power uphold the Constitution and protect our rights, we can absolutely hold peaceful demonstrations.” 

Mwanase insists Kenya is no different from countries where peaceful protests thrive—the difference lies in the leadership: “Kenya has had many peaceful protests in the past. But we’re now entering a dark period, where the government appears to be sliding toward authoritarianism,” she warns.  

“There are attempts to amend the Constitution to hold onto power. Digital platforms used to raise awareness are being suppressed. The government has lost the people’s trust and is resorting to brute force.” 

Goons alongside police 

According to her, the current state of affairs — where armed goons walk alongside police while peaceful protesters are arrested and slapped with terrorism charges — amounts to state terror. 

“Terrorism is the use of force to silence civilians for political aims,” she notes. “And that is exactly what we’re seeing in Kenya today.” 

She adds that while international human rights organisations exist to deter such abuse, they are increasingly overwhelmed, as seen in global crises in Palestine, Congo, and Sudan. 

“Kenya is suffering from state capture. The executive has swallowed the Judiciary, the Legislature, and oversight bodies. There are no checks and balances,” she said.  

“The DCI, DPP, even IPOA — none are independent anymore. This isn’t just about protests. It’s about silencing dissent. The government allows state-sponsored demonstrations supporting President Ruto but crushes those that criticise him. Anyone speaking out against injustice today faces violent repression. That’s the reality.”  

On his part, Mombasa-based human rights activist Edwin Shamir criticised the government’s heavy-handed response, especially the reported “shoot-to-maim” directive allegedly issued by President William Ruto. 

“Despite the chaos, I believe we can do better as a country when it comes to facilitating peaceful demonstrations and upholding constitutional rights,” said Shamir.

“The state—led by the president and supported by various security agencies — has both the capacity and the mandate to isolate and deal with criminal elements without violating the rights of peaceful demonstrators.” 

Criminal opportunists 

Citing the presence of key institutions such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the National Intelligence Service, and the Inspector General of Police, Shamir insisted that those agencies have the tools to hold violent elements accountable — without lumping genuine protesters together with criminal opportunists. 

“We must separate legitimate human rights actors from those who infiltrate protests to loot and destroy. Security officers know who the real goons are, yet they choose to provoke peaceful demonstrators and frame them as anarchists,” he stated. 

He accused police of intentionally provoking peaceful protests, thereby delegitimising the movement and painting human rights activists and Gen Z demonstrators as terrorists or criminals — an act he termed as “state-sponsored misinformation.” 

“Let the government deal with the real criminals, they know very well. Instead of wasting energy trying to silence the majority on the streets, they should focus on enforcing the law objectively,” said Shamir. 

Clear guidelines 

He further directed a pointed message to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, urging the body to issue clear guidelines to law enforcement officers and remind them of their constitutional boundaries. 

“It’s unacceptable for security agencies to subvert Article 37 by telling people not to protest. The government, including the president, must align with the Constitution of 2010 — the same Constitution that put them in power,” he noted. 

Shamir warned that continued violations of the law by those in power would ultimately invite anarchy — a path the country cannot afford. 

“If we cannot protect the Constitution, the President has no moral authority to remain in office. He should step aside and allow a leader who respects the rule of law to take charge,” Shamir said.  

“Human rights actors are not criminals. There are legal avenues to deal with lawbreakers. Arrest those who destroy property, present them in court, and let justice take its course.”