Chief Justice Martha Koome has condemned the burning of the Kikuyu Law Courts during Wednesday’s anniversary protests, calling it an act of terrorism against Kenya’s justice system.

Speaking during a visit to the site, Koome reassured the public that all 23 judicial staff assigned to the court were safe and accounted for.

“Our biggest concern now is for the people who rely on this court daily to seek justice,” she said during a press briefing. She pointed out that the attack hurts not just key legal work but also grows a risky rule-free way of living.

Even though peaceful protests are allowed by the Constitution, Koome said that criminal elements had mixed in with the crowd.

“I believe the majority of Kenyans who came out to demonstrate did so in good faith but were met with other elements who took advantage,” she observed.

CJ Koome urged Kenyans to tell apart calm protests from real crime, noting mixing them weakens law order. She asked people to keep trust in the courts, in spite of the fire.

Koome also called for quick talks among all involved to address the deep unrest in the country.

“This is a country where we are all required to find solutions,” she said, promising the courts’ full drive to keep justice going amid the mess and damage.

The Kikuyu Law Courts’ fire has heavily hit the area’s justice, ruining key parts and case records and making many question justice delivery.

Local court heads have asked for calm from the people, saying they are trying to find new ways to keep services going. However, they said fixing everything will take time.

The fire has not only stopped cases but also complicated things for those in jail still waiting for their day in court.

With no digital copies for many lost records, they now need to rebuild those files to get justice moving again in this area.