The Counter Terrorism Policing Unit (CTPU) has issued a warning to activists against disrupting their work after a video of an altercation with several activists in Malindi went viral and led to the arrest of seven people, including journalists.
The warning followed an incident on Tuesday, when several activists, armed with a court order, approached officers stationed at a roadblock in Malindi, demanding that they remove their balaclavas and reveal their identities.
The activists claimed that they were carrying a court order stating that all police officers in public spaces must wear uniforms and not cover their faces.
However, the officers refused to remove their balaclavas, which led to a confrontation that attracted the attention of bystanders and other officers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday November 12, the CTPU condemned the incident and urged activists to refrain from interrupting the work of the counter-terrorism police. According to the unit, the incident amounted to harassment, noting that the officers went to great lengths to protect Kenyans.
“Commercial activists, if you can't appreciate their work, keep activism out of their work stations and respect their work,” CTPU noted.
“They are separated from their loved ones to protect Kenyans from terrorists and drug smugglers,” it added.
Due to the highly-sensitive nature of their work, CTPU often wears balaclavas and dark shades to conceal their identities.
CTPU is a specialized branch of the national police service dedicated to preventing, detecting, investigating, and responding to terrorist activities.
They frequently engage in covert or high-risk missions. Revealing their identities could expose them to retaliation from terror groups or compromise ongoing investigations. Terror networks may target officers or their families if identities are known.
Wearing balaclavas, masks, and dark shades helps protect them from recognition and later attacks.
However, the wearing of balaclavas and other face coverings by police officers has attracted concern from Kenyans and even prompted lawsuits.
In April this year, the High Court issued a landmark ruling requiring all police officers dispatched to maintain order in public spaces to wear uniforms and not cover their faces.
