This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 26, 2020, a Kenyan court rejected a bid by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to lift travel restrictions and the mandatory wearing of face masks.
The court, led by Justice James Makau, dismissed the case, stating that the measures were necessary to curb the spread of Covid-19 and protect public health.
LSK had argued that the government's directives were unconstitutional, as they did not involve public participation, and that the rules were discriminatory to the poor and vulnerable.
However, Justice Makau ruled that the government had the right to enforce measures to slow down the spread of the disease, and that the use of a curfew order to restrict contact between persons was a legitimate action.
He also condemned police officers who take advantage of the curfew to fight crime, stating that the curfew's sole objective should be to protect the health of Kenyans.
LSK's bid was rejected just a day after a man in Lessos, Nandi County, was allegedly shot dead for not wearing a face mask.
Earlier this month, the Independent Policing Oversight Body released a statement indicating that at least 15 people have lost their lives in the hands of the police since the restrictions were put in place.
