The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Charles Kanjama has criticised the handling of protest-related arrests, arguing that many Kenyans detained during demonstrations ultimately endure lengthy court proceedings despite a significant number of cases ending in convictions.

Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, June 25, 2026, Kanjama observed that while dozens of protesters are arrested and arraigned in court following demonstrations, many of the cases are later dismissed due to lack of sufficient evidence, leaving the arrested individuals to bear the financial, emotional and social burden of prolonged legal proceedings.

“Many of those arrested during protests are eventually released on bail, and in many cases, the trials later collapse due to insufficient evidence. It often appears that the court process itself becomes the punishment. Relatively few cases result in convictions,” Kanjama said.

The LSK president believes that the justice system should not be used to punish individuals through lengthy legal processes where the evidence is insufficient to support criminal charges.

The senior advocate also raised concerns over what he described as the practice of preferring charges that are unrelated to the circumstances under which persons of interest are arrested during demonstrations.

According to Kanjama, such charges often carry higher bond and bail terms, making it difficult for arrested individuals to secure their release and resulting in extended periods in police custody before their cases are heard.

“Some are also charged with offences that are not directly connected to the circumstances of their arrest, with the effect of attracting high bond and bail terms, leaving them to languish in police custody,” he said.

Kanjama maintained that while the state has a duty to maintain law and order, criminal prosecutions should be grounded in evidence and conducted in a manner that upholds the rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

His remarks come amid heightened debate over the government’s response to recent anti-government protests, during which scores of demonstrators have been arrested across the country.

355 people arrested

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that at least 355 people had been arrested across the country in connection with the protests, as the government praised Kenyans for maintaining peace during the commemoration of the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests.

Speaking during a presser, Murkomen said the arrests were linked to various criminal offences committed under the guise of peaceful demonstrations.

“Consequently, a total of 355 arrests were made in connection with the demonstrations, and this is a developing case. It could be more than the 355,” Murkomen said.