Your right to demonstrate and hold public meetings
Constitution of Kenya; Public Order Act · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Everyone has the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and petition, peacefully and unarmed. Organisers must notify the officer in charge of the local police station 3 to 14 days before, for a time between 6am and 6pm; the law sets out a notice, not a permit application.
- Deadline
- Notice: at least 3 days and no more than 14 days before the meeting or procession.
- Where
- The police station in charge of the area where the meeting will be held (or where a procession starts and ends)
Steps
- Find the right police station: the one in charge of the area where the meeting will be held, or for a procession, where it starts and ends. Its officer in charge receives the notice.
- Notify that officer at least 3 days and no more than 14 days before the date.
- In the notice, give the organiser's full names and physical address, the date and time (between 6am and 6pm), and the venue or route.
- If the police tell you another event was already notified for the same date, time and place, choose another date and notify again.
- On the day, the organiser or an authorised agent must be there throughout and help the police keep peace and order.
Watch out
- Police can stop or disperse a meeting held without notice, or where there is a clear, present or imminent danger of a breach of the peace.
- Carrying an offensive weapon at a public meeting or procession is an offence, unless you are acting under lawful authority such as a police officer.
- Taking part in or organising a meeting treated as an unlawful assembly can lead to one year in jail.
Who this covers
- Every person, as long as they are peaceful and unarmed.
- The notice rule covers public meetings: meetings in a public place, or open to the public or to more than 50 people.
Official sources (2)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Public Order Act, Chapter 56 (Revised Edition 2018) gsu.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026