Police and civil disputes: evictions, custody orders and court orders
National Police Service / Judiciary · sources read 4 Oct 2026
In civil matters like evictions, police act on court orders: they must obey and execute orders and warrants lawfully issued by a court. The order must carry the court seal, date and signature, and an officer of Inspector rank or above must endorse it before it is carried out.
- Where
- The court that issued the order, then the police station in the area, where an Inspector or senior officer endorses it before officers act
What you need
- The court order or warrant, bearing the court seal, date and signature of the issuing officer
Steps
- Get a court order first. Police must obey and execute orders and warrants lawfully issued by a court.
- Check the order carries the court seal, date and the signature of the issuing officer.
- Take it to the police: before officers carry it out, an officer of Inspector rank or above must countersign and stamp it.
- To evict someone from private land, serve at least 3 months' written notice, and serve it on the deputy county commissioner and the police division commander of the area.
- During any eviction, those taking part must identify themselves and show the formal authorization, and must respect the dignity, life and security of those affected.
Watch out
- In police rules, a 'court order' includes warrants, summons, evictions, prohibition orders and distress warrants.
- If you are served with an eviction notice, you can ask the court for relief. The court can cancel, change or suspend the notice, or order compensation.
- If officers find an order can't be carried out, they must ask the court that issued it, and their seniors, for guidance.
Official sources (2)
- National Police Service Standing Orders nationalpolice.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Land Act (No. 6 of 2012), Revised Edition 2019 landcommission.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026