How Developed Countries Handle Protests and Lessons Kenya Can Learn

  By Mutunga Tobbias | The Common Pulse/latest news/Asia/United States/Africa / September 2025

Protests are an inevitable feature of democratic societies. They are a reflection of the people’s right to assemble, to express dissent, and to hold governments accountable when they feel ignored or marginalized. In developed countries, protests have historically played an important role in shaping policies, changing governments, and strengthening the democratic process. From civil rights marches in the United States to climate strikes in Europe, demonstrations have been a catalyst for reform. However, the way these countries handle protests is not accidental, it is informed by experience, legal frameworks, institutional maturity, and respect for civic freedoms

For a country like Kenya, where protests often turn violent, deadly, or are outrightly suppressed, there are important lessons to learn from more established democracies. Understanding how protests are managed elsewhere can guide Kenya toward a more constructive balance between maintaining public order and respecting the democratic rights of its citizens.

The Democratic Value of Protest

In many developed nations, protest is not treated as a nuisance to be suppressed but rather as an essential part of democratic dialogue. Governments in the United States, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom recognize that protests are part of the checks and balances that keep them accountable. Citizens have a right to question decisions, raise grievances, and demand justice. By treating protest as a legitimate democratic tool, these governments avoid framing dissent as a threat to national security or political stability. This cultural acceptance of protest is one of the biggest differences between developed democracies and emerging ones like Kenya, where protest is often equated with rebellion or political subversion

When people feel their voices are heard, they are more likely to trust institutions even if their demands are not immediately met. In Kenya, by contrast, protests are too often met with excessive force or blanket bans, which breeds further anger, erodes trust in leadership, and perpetuates cycles of confrontation. The first lesson Kenya can draw from developed countries is the recognition that protest is not inherently dangerous, it is a form of civic participation that can actually strengthen democracy when properly managed.

Policing and the Use of Force

Perhaps the clearest distinction between how developed nations and Kenya handle protests lies in the role of the police. In countries like the United Kingdom or Germany, policing strategies are guided by principles of de-escalation, proportionality, and the protection of human rights. Police are trained not just in law enforcement but also in crowd psychology, negotiation, and conflict resolution. The goal is to prevent violence, not to provoke it. Riot control is used sparingly, and lethal force is considered an absolute last resort.

Kenya, on the other hand, has a painful history of violent crackdowns on protesters. Tear gas, live bullets, and arbitrary arrests are common responses to demonstrations. This not only results in unnecessary deaths and injuries but also delegitimizes law enforcement in the eyes of the public. Policing in Kenya is often highly politicized, with officers seen as tools of those in power rather than impartial protectors of all citizens.

The lesson here is clear: Kenya must invest in reforming its policing culture. Officers should be trained in human rights–based approaches to crowd control, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation. The government should also create independent oversight mechanisms to hold police accountable for abuses during protests. Without such reforms, every protest risks escalating into tragedy.

Legal Frameworks that Protect Protest

In developed democracies, protests are protected by strong legal frameworks. In the United States, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of assembly and speech. In Germany, the constitution protects the right to demonstrate, and police must facilitate rather than obstruct peaceful gatherings. Legal systems in these countries make it extremely difficult for governments to ban protests outright unless there is clear and present danger to public safety.

Kenya’s constitution also enshrines the right to protest under Article 37, which guarantees citizens the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions. However, in practice, this right is frequently curtailed. Authorities often require permits for demonstrations, which are then denied for political reasons. Moreover, when protests are allowed, they are often tightly restricted or violently dispersed at the slightest sign of unrest.

The lesson for Kenya is that rights on paper are meaningless without proper enforcement. To align with best practices in developed democracies, Kenya must strengthen judicial independence and ensure that courts actively protect protest rights against arbitrary restrictions. Citizens should not feel that the ability to demonstrate depends on the goodwill of those in power.

Media and Narrative Control

Another important difference between developed nations and Kenya is how the media frames protests. In countries with strong press freedom, protests are reported as legitimate news events, and media outlets often highlight the grievances of protesters alongside the response of the state. This balanced reporting helps the wider public understand the motivations behind demonstrations and pressures governments to engage constructively with dissent.

In Kenya, media coverage is often skewed. Protests are quickly labeled as violent or politically instigated, and focus tends to fall on images of chaos, looting, or clashes with police rather than the underlying issues. This framing delegitimizes protests in the public eye and provides justification for heavy-handed crackdown

Kenya can learn from developed nations by fostering a more independent and responsible media environment. Journalists should be free from political intimidation and encouraged to report fairly on the causes of protests rather than merely amplifying state narratives. Public understanding of demonstrations can shift dramatically when the media highlights grievances instead of criminalizing protesters

Dialogue and Institutional Responsiveness

A hallmark of protest management in developed countries is the willingness of governments to engage in dialogue with demonstrators. In the United States, local governments often send negotiators or community liaisons to speak directly with protest organizers. In France, while protests can sometimes turn confrontational, authorities generally set up communication channels with unions, activist groups, or civil society organizations to negotiate solutions.

In Kenya, however, protests are often dismissed as illegitimate or politically motivated, with officials refusing to meet organizers halfway. Rather than engaging with grievances, leaders frequently accuse protestors of serving opposition agendas or destabilizing the country. This dismissive attitude only deepens frustrations and fuels the sense that peaceful channels of engagement are ineffective.

The lesson Kenya can learn here is the power of dialogue. Governments that take time to listen to their citizens, even when disagreements remain, build trust and legitimacy. Institutionalizing mechanisms for dialogue, such as formal protest negotiation frameworks or independent mediation bodies, would go a long way in preventing unnecessary escalation.

The Role of Civil Society

Civil society organizations play a central role in protests within developed nations. Human rights groups, unions, student associations, and advocacy bodies often act as mediators between citizens and the state. They provide organizational structure, legal support, and even training in nonviolent protest techniques. This ensures that demonstrations remain focused, disciplined, and constructive rather than descending into chaos.

Kenya’s civil society has historically been vibrant, especially during the struggle for multiparty democracy in the 1990s. However, in recent years, it has faced increasing pressure from the state, including restrictive NGO laws and harassment of activists. As a result, protests often lack strong organizational leadership, making them more vulnerable to infiltration by opportunistic actors who instigate violence.

Reinvigorating civil society is therefore essential. The Kenyan government should stop seeing civil society as an adversary and instead recognize its role in fostering democratic accountability. Strengthening partnerships between civil groups and the state can help ensure protests are more peaceful, issue-focused, and effective.

Accountability and Aftermath

One of the biggest differences in how protests are handled in developed nations versus Kenya lies in the aftermath. In many Western countries, if police are accused of misconduct during protests, there are investigations, parliamentary inquiries, or even resignations of senior officials. For example, after violent clashes during protests in Germany or the U.S., police departments often review their protocols and make changes to avoid a repeat of mistakes.

In Kenya, accountability is rare. Reports of extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions, and excessive use of force often go unaddressed. Families of victims are left without justice, while police officers implicated in abuses continue to serve without consequences. This culture of impunity fuels public anger and perpetuates mistrust between citizens and law enforcement.

The lesson is straightforward: Kenya must strengthen accountability mechanisms to investigate abuses committed during protests. Independent police oversight bodies must be empowered, and victims must have access to justice. Without accountability, reforms will remain cosmetic and public confidence will never be rebuilt.

Economic and Social Contexts

It is also important to acknowledge the economic and social contexts that shape how protests are handled. Developed nations typically have stronger economies and more robust social safety nets, which means grievances often take the form of specific policy demands rather than desperate struggles for survival. Kenya, by contrast, faces deep inequality, high unemployment, and systemic corruption. Protests here are not only about policy but also about existential issues, bread, jobs, housing, and dignity.

This makes protests in Kenya more volatile, as frustrations run deeper and stakes are higher. Developed countries show that building strong institutions, addressing inequality, and providing safety nets reduces the likelihood of protests spiraling into unrest. Kenya cannot ignore this lesson: economic reforms and social investment are integral to creating a more peaceful environment for civic engagement.

 Toward a More Mature Democracy

Protests are not a sign of weakness; they are a sign of democracy in action. The way developed countries handle protests, through legal protections, de-escalation policing, open dialogue, and accountability, shows that dissent can be managed constructively rather than violently suppressed. Kenya has much to learn from these examples.

The key lessons include embracing protests as a democratic right, reforming policing practices, strengthening legal protections, fostering responsible media coverage, engaging in dialogue, supporting civil society, and ensuring accountability. Beyond these structural reforms, Kenya must also tackle the deeper social and economic conditions that make protests so volatile in the first place.

If Kenya can begin to treat protests not as a threat but as an opportunity to listen, learn, and improve, it will take a significant step toward a more mature and resilient democracy. In doing so, the country will not only prevent needless violence but also build a stronger foundation of trust between citizens and the state, trust that is essential for long-term stability and development.