A Malindi court has barred police officers from using firearms, water canons and tear gas on the anti-government protesters.
The decision comes at a time Gen Zs have planned more demos in the coming weeks to agitate for reforms.
On Friday, Justice Mugure Thande temporarily barred police from using live ammunition, rubber bullets, other weapons or any form of violence against protestors.
The decision follows a petition filed by Raila Odinga’s former chief agent in the last elections, Saitabao Ole Kanchory.
Judge Thande at the same time issued an order prohibiting Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and Interior CS Kithure Kindiki from committing extrajudicial killings, arrests, abductions, intimidation, torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of protesters.
The ruling comes in the wake of public outrage over killings, maiming and abduction of protesters by police officers.
At least 23 people have lost their lives in what has been attributed to direct shooting by the officers.
Already, Gen Z has declared Tuesday and Thursday every week as protest days.
The protesters are demanding Ruto’s resignation and sweeping changes in the country’s political leadership, which they blame for their frustrations.
“We Fixing this Nation. Every Tuesday and Thursday. Kenya ni Inchi yetu Wote (sic) (Kenya for us all)” X user Chris Love posted under the #TuesdayandThursday.
Another user posted, “Tuesday and Thursday tuko kwa (we are on the) streets. I think the government of Kenya should be having 4 arms: The People, Executive, Judiciary and the corrupt Legislature!”
On Tuesday, the protesters overran the police to storm Parliament in a daring and unprecedented attack.
In Malindi, Judge Thande said Kanchory demonstrated that it was in the public interest that the orders he sought be granted.
He accused the police of responding to peaceful protests over the unpopular and now-abandoned Finance Bill, 2024 with brute force and violence.
Kanchory argued that Gen Z have been peaceful and unarmed during the protests but they have been met with police brutality.
Young people have in the past week staged nationwide protests against what they perceive to be excessive, inhumane and insensitive taxes introduced by the Finance Bill, 2024
They were mobilising through social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and Instagram, which Kanchory said would be affected if the state interfered with internet connectivity in Kenya.
Kanchory further told the court that the police have also resorted to forceful arrests and illegal abductions, which is a violation of the protesters' right to liberty and other freedoms captured in the constitution.
"The Inspector General of Police has failed to uphold the highest possible standards of professionalism and discipline among the Kenyan police and to foster and promote good relations between the police and the broader society," he said.
Thande directed the application be served on all parties by July 1 and responses filed by July 15. The case will be mentioned on July 17 for further directions.
Besides calling for Ruto’s resignation and withdrawal of the Finance Bill that the President has since abandoned, the protesters are also demanding sweeping political and financial reforms.
They are urging the President to institute radical reforms, including firing corrupt officials from his inner circle.
In a new online campaign, agitators say Ruto should fire government bureaucrats, including members of his Cabinet with questions about their integrity.
“As Kenyans shifts on Maandamano #Tuesday and #Thursday, it is time for the government to focus and listen to the cry of Kenyans; scrap useless positions like CASs, woman rep, nominated positions etc. Salaries of all MPs, governors and ministers be 500k,” Lawrent Ashono stated.
There have been concerns that powerful individuals close to power have become overnight millionaires, openly displaying opulence, while the masses suffer.
“It’s more than the Finance Bill, it’s the opulence amidst the struggle, it’s the arrogance displayed in the face of economic turmoil,” a Rift Valley businessman posted on X on Thursday.
According to new online postings, critics want Ruto to, among other steps, drop the Chief Administrative Secretary position and change Kenya Kwanza's leadership in the National Assembly.
They also want the funding scrapped for the First Lady's office and those of the spouses of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.