Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma has raised the alarm over what she describes as a worrying erosion of protest rights in Kenya.

Her concerns come in the wake of recent protests that have been marred by violent confrontations between police and demonstrators, putting the country’s democratic freedoms under renewed scrutiny.

“The issue of freedom is getting out of hand. The ongoing exchanges make it appear as though demonstrations are a battle between the police and the people,” Mumma said during a Senate session held on July 15, 2025.

She pointed to the events of June 25 and July 7, which saw widespread clashes in various parts of the country. According to Mumma, these incidents reflect an alarming trend where the constitutional right to peaceful assembly is being pushed to the brink.

“Article 37 is an important right that was intended to protect and facilitate peaceful protestors. What happened is deeply troubling. We witnessed excesses both from the police and from some members of the public,” she noted.

Her remarks come amid reports of police deploying tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds, while sections of protesters were also accused of destroying property and inciting violence.

Mumma urged Kenyans to resist viewing the issue through a partisan lens, warning that the crackdown on protests affects citizens across political divides.

“I plead that this should not be viewed through the lens of political allegiance—whether one supports the government or not. Everyone should recognise the wrongdoing in the excessive use of force by the police, as well as the incitement and arming of young people to destroy property,” she said.

She also condemned the role of political operatives who allegedly sponsored goons to infiltrate peaceful protests, arguing that such acts undermine democracy.

“Those who organised and deployed goons were wrong, and their actions must be condemned. As a House, we must strive to restore our nation’s values and remember that every individual has rights. No one is superior to the other,” Mumma added.

Her call for restraint comes as Kenya grapples with heightened political tensions. Human rights groups have also flagged the recent police responses as disproportionate, calling for independent investigations into cases of brutality.

Senator Mumma now wants Parliament to take the lead in protecting the right to protest, warning that failure to act will only deepen the country’s democratic crisis.