The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) penned a letter to the acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli demanding civilian police officers not to be deployed to handle Nane Nane protests.
In the letter shared by LSK President Faith Odhiambo on Thursday, the president noted that the society got a whiff of the National Police Service (NPS) plans to deploy officers with balaclavas.
The Society, as a result, called upon the IG to refrain from using unmarked vehicles or vehicles with distorted number plates or with no legal registration accusing them of committing crimes and evading Justice.
LSK further wants Masengeli to ensure that all policing operations are effectively commanded and that any use of force complies with the principles of necessity and proportionality.
"We call upon the Acting Police. Inspector General to refrain from deploying ununiformed or masked police officers dressed in hoodies, balaclavas or other attire in an attempt to hide their identities," read the letter in part.
"Excessive lethal and non-lethal must not be used against protesters who do not pose an imminent threat of death or serious injury."
Odhiambo further demanded the service to end abductions and refrain from unlawfully using tear gas and high-velocity mobile water cannons against people including mothers and children in their homes.
"We are also deeply concerned by the harassment of leaders of Social Justice Centers by the National Police. Service and other state agencies who have either arrested these leaders summoned them and demanded several documents this week," LSK added.
"We condemn this use of intimidation tactics designed to force them to withdraw from participating in protests. We call upon the Police to refrain from arbitrarily arresting individuals."
The demands came after a section of Kenyans took to the Nairobi streets as Nane Nane protests officially kicked off.
By 10:00 am, police officers had set up a roadblock on Thika Road at Safari Park Hotel. Another roadblock was established in Pangani.
Earlier, protests had occurred at the Archives Area in Nairobi CBD and police retaliated by firing teargas at the protests.
