Kanja warns against violence after deadly Mbeere North incident amid goonism tensions
By Aloys Michael, April 17, 2026The police have warned individuals and groups engaging in or planning attacks on police stations, destruction of public infrastructure, and acts of lawlessness, saying that such actions will be met with the full force of the law without exception.
In a press briefing on Friday, April 17, 2026, issued at Vigilance House in Nairobi, the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Douglas Kanja, warned all Kenyans against any form of violence targeting law enforcement officers, stating that police stations and security installations remain protected national assets central to public safety.
“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,” Kanja alarmed.
At the same time, the IG directed all officers to strictly adhere to the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and service standing orders, stressing that professionalism, restraint, accountability, and respect for human rights remain non-negotiable in all operations.
This comes following a recent incident in Embu, where police officers are said to have shot two civilians who were protesting the poor state of the Ishiara level IV hospital in Mbeere North on April 14, 2026.
“Stern and immediate action will be taken against any misconduct, in line with the robust frameworks for accountability in Kenya,” the police boss warned.
Moreover, Kanja cautioned against what he termed rising political incitement and mobilisation of criminal gangs for violent activities, warning that individuals found orchestrating or financing such acts will be pursued and prosecuted regardless of their social or political status.
“To crush these threats, the NPS, in close collaboration with the public and partner security agencies, has activated comprehensive, lawful strategies. These include intensified operations to bring perpetrators swiftly to justice, thereby establishing an unassailable precedent that will deter future offenders,” he said.
Illegal planned protests?
Kanja’s comments came just a few hours after Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud also issued a separate warning over planned demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, particularly in the Central Business District, stating that while the right to peaceful assembly is protected, all protests must comply strictly with the law.
Mohamud noted that police had not received formal notification from protest organisers, a mandatory legal requirement for coordination and security planning, and urged organisers to engage authorities to avoid confrontation and disruption of public order.
“There are those who come today and say tomorrow they want to protest. They will not have it. We don’t want disorder; we want order,” he stated.
The planned demonstrations are linked to public concern over rising fuel prices and the high cost of living, with sections of Kenyans expressing frustration over increased transport, food, and essential commodity costs affecting daily livelihoods.
Despite the police caution, some groups have maintained that the protests will proceed as planned, arguing that the economic situation demands urgent public expression, while others have accused authorities of attempting to suppress legitimate dissent.
Political leaders have also weighed in on the matter, with the opposition issuing a seven-day ultimatum demanding action on the fuel crisis, while President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki have urged critics to seek practical solutions instead of resorting to mass protests.