Chief Justice Martha Koome has finally spoken out following the violent attacks on several law courts across Kenya during the protests held on June 25.
The demonstrations led to serious destruction, with court facilities and essential equipment completely damaged, resulting in what the Judiciary termed as major and possibly irreversible losses.
Speaking on Thursday, June 26, after visiting the heavily damaged Kikuyu Law Courts, CJ Koome strongly condemned the violent acts. She described them as direct attacks on the Constitution and a serious threat to the rule of law.
The Kikuyu court was among the worst affected, having been broken into, vandalised, and set ablaze by individuals suspected to have taken advantage of the unrest.
CJ Koome noted that the violent incidents would have a long-lasting impact on the Judiciary’s ability to serve the public.
She pointed out that destroying court buildings not only interrupts the delivery of justice to ordinary Kenyans but also undermines efforts aimed at expanding access to justice, especially for vulnerable and marginalised communities who depend on these services the most.
“Courts are sacred institutions in any constitutional democracy. They provide a neutral and safe space where disputes are fairly resolved and the rights of citizens are protected,” Koome emphasised during her visit.
Eyewitnesses reported that during the chaos, angry protesters stormed the Kikuyu Law Courts and the Deputy County Commissioner’s office.
They set both premises on fire and destroyed government property, including tractors and tuk-tuks that were parked on the grounds.
In some offices that were not reached by the flames, the intruders still caused destruction by smashing windows, damaging furniture, and scattering important documents.
Police officers who responded to the scene were seen struggling to put out the fire using buckets filled with soil and water in a desperate attempt to save what they could.
As a result of the heavy damage, the Kikuyu Law Courts have been closed temporarily to allow for investigations and repairs. Judiciary officials inspecting the damage confirmed that critical infrastructure, such as servers and registry boxes, were destroyed in the fire.
The Kikuyu court was not the only one affected. The newly built Dagoretti Law Courts were also vandalised, and in Nyandarua County, the old Ol Kalou Law Courts—which is currently used to store legal exhibits—was broken into and damaged.
In response to these incidents, Chief Justice Koome announced that the Judiciary would now work closely with national security agencies to ensure the safety of court buildings and the protection of judicial officers and staff.
This collaboration is expected to lead to tighter security around court facilities in the coming days to prevent further destruction and to guarantee the safety of all personnel involved in the justice system.
Despite the tragic events, Koome reassured affected communities and court users that the Judiciary is committed to restoring court operations and maintaining access to justice with as little interruption as possible. She affirmed that efforts to repair damaged facilities and resume services are already underway.
She also praised Judiciary staff in the affected areas who continued to carry out their duties under extremely difficult conditions, acknowledging their resilience and dedication to serving the public even in the face of danger.
Koome’s remarks come at a critical time when the country is still reeling from the effects of the nationwide protests, and her call for the protection of judicial infrastructure highlights the importance of safeguarding institutions that uphold the rule of law.
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