Protesters planning demonstrations or public assemblies may soon be able to submit their notifications online under the proposed Facilitation of Assembly, Picketing, and Demonstration Bill, 2026.
Organizers can hand in their notices physically or send them directly to the regulating officer’s electronic address. If an organizer cannot deliver the notice digitally, they must affix it to the officer’s official premises or post it in a nearby public area.
“A notification under section 8(1) shall be in writing and may, where it is not possible to deliver the notification in person or to the electronic address of the regulating officer, be affixed to the official premises of the regulating officer or a public place near or around the official premises of the regulating officer,” the Facilitation of Assembly, Picketing and Demonstration Bill, 2026 states.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) believe this legislation will foster peaceful gatherings across the country. The draft law follows a landmark Kisumu High Court ruling that called for clearer legal and operational rules around public protests.
To keep the process smooth, organizers planning events outside a local officer’s jurisdiction must specify the precise location and name a designated agent for the assembly.
The draft rules require organizers to supply an electronic address and the contact person’s name so the regulating officer can confirm receipt. Ultimately, this gives police clear details regarding the date, time, and venue well in advance.
Organizers must submit these electronic notices via email, WhatsApp, or local physical postings between 3 and 14 days before the event.
Once received, the regulating officer must officially acknowledge the notice. Officers can do this by stamping a physical copy or replying directly to the organizer’s email or message.
If the organizer posted the notice near police premises, the officer must send the acknowledgment to the provided contact details. If organizers fail to submit a notice altogether, the law expects them to work closely with local police to keep the gathering peaceful and unarmed.
