Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on Monday, August 24, attracted backlash over his pronouncements on demonstrations during the Covid-19 period.
As the IG engaged members of the public in his weekly online session, one John King'oo sought to find out why demonstrators were constantly being arrested despite the Constitution protecting the right to picket.
In response, Mutyambai blamed arrests witnessed at recent anti-corruption and anti-police brutality protests on the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Demonstrations are legal. However, under the current circumstances and with existing Ministry of Health (MoH) protocols on the management of Covid-19 (especially social & physical distancing), demonstrations are not allowed," he wrote.
Kenyans were quick to point out that political gatherings with several attendees continued to be held, questioning if social distancing protocols only applied to protesters.
Leaders including President Uhuru Kenyatta and Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe have been under fire in recent weeks for preaching water and drinking wine when it comes to Covid-19 regulations.
Mutyambai's statement served to fuel the perception that two sets of regulations were being enforced; one for the political elite and another for regular citizens.
On Monday, August 10, Uhuru addressed large crowds in Nairobi's informal settlements after initiating the construction of hospitals in Mukuru.
This was in spite of his insistence on adherence to Covid-19 measures by all Kenyans.
Kagwe, on the other hand, has addressed crowds in his tours to counties including Kericho and Mombasa to assess county preparedness for the pandemic.
A protest in Nairobi on Friday against alleged corruption in the management of Covid-19 funds saw at least 12 people arrested.
Teargas was also fired to disperse the protesters after they gathered at Uhuru Park.
“We are demanding for the arrest of the people who are known thieves, who are known to have stolen COVID-19 [equipment], but they are still free.
"The police, instead of coming to teargas us, they should be in the offices investigating, making sure these people are taken to court and jailed. We cannot live in a country where we are ruled by impunity, and we have a system that does not care for the people of this nation,” stated activist Wanjeri Nderu who was among the protesters.
