Kenya’s democratic framework guarantees citizens the constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities. Article 37 of the Constitution affirms that peaceful demonstrations are a legitimate expression of public participation in governance. However, for many years, public protests in Kenya have faced a persistent challenge — the infiltration of demonstrations by criminal elements popularly known as goons.

These individuals often exploit legitimate protests to engage in looting, vandalism, violence and intimidation, undermining both constitutional freedoms and public safety. As a result, earlier demonstrations frequently led to widespread disruption of business, destruction of property and complete shutdown of Nairobi City, leaving residents fearful and economically affected.

Recent demonstrations arising from concerns over rising fuel prices presented yet another test for law enforcement agencies. Notably, the outcome marked a significant departure from previous experiences. The operations conducted by the National Police Service (NPS) in Nairobi demonstrated a more professional, intelligence-led and rights-based approach to crowd management.

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Under the leadership of Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamed and the Regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kandie, together with their sub-regional commanders, a new operational strategy became evident. Security agencies appeared better prepared, proactive and coordinated in managing both demonstrators and public order.

One of the most significant achievements during the recent protests was the clear distinction made between peaceful demonstrators exercising constitutional rights and criminal elements attempting to hijack the protests. Instead of treating crowds as a single hostile mass, police adopted a targeted approach that isolated disruptive actors while allowing lawful demonstrations to proceed.

From a psychological and governance perspective, this represents an important evolution in policing philosophy. Modern democratic policing requires facilitation rather than suppression of public assembly. The role of police is not merely enforcement but balancing the protection of constitutional freedoms with the responsibility to safeguard lives, property and economic stability.

The NPS demonstrated preventive policing through intelligence gathering, early deployment, strategic positioning and measured engagement. This approach minimized confrontation and reduced escalation. Equally important was the visible restraint exercised by officers, which contributed to lowering tensions and preventing panic among residents.

For Nairobi’s business community and ordinary citizens, the difference was clear. Unlike previous demonstrations that paralysed transport systems and forced businesses to close, many city dwellers continued their daily activities with relative normalcy. Public confidence improved as residents witnessed effective security presence without excessive force.

The filtering out of goons from peaceful demonstrators signals institutional learning within Kenya’s security architecture. It shows that demonstrations need not translate into lawlessness when policing is professional, coordinated and intelligence-driven.

This development also sends an important message to demonstrators themselves. Constitutional rights come with civic responsibility. Peaceful protest must remain peaceful if democratic space is to be preserved. When criminal elements are rejected both by organisers and by law enforcement, demonstrations can serve their true purpose — constructive civic engagement.

The recent operations offer hope for Nairobi and other urban centres. They demonstrate that Kenya can uphold democratic freedoms while maintaining order and protecting economic life. Effective leadership, strategic planning and community-sensitive policing have proven capable of preventing chaos without undermining citizens’ rights.

Going forward, sustaining this progress will require continued investment in training, community policing, intelligence coordination and public trust-building. The success witnessed should not be viewed as an isolated event but as a model for future management of public demonstrations across the country.

Ultimately, democracy flourishes when citizens feel safe to express grievances and equally safe to go about their daily lives. The recent handling of demonstrations in Nairobi suggests that Kenya is moving closer to achieving that balance — where protest and productivity can coexist and where law enforcement protects both freedom and order.

The writer is a Professor of Psychology, Governance and Leadership Expert