CHIEF JUSTICE MARTHA KOOME MAKES A PLEA TO THE NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE AFTER SABA SABA PROTESTS

Chief Justice Martha Koome has made a plea to the National Police Service after the Saba Saba protests. While presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of members of the National Heroes Council and Members of the National Police Service Commission on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Koome urged the police to respond with restraint, proportionality, and strict adherence to human rights standards, avoiding actions that could cause unnecessary harm or loss of life.
“It is incumbent upon the police to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and criminal elements—those who infiltrate protests to incite violence and loot, and to apprehend and process such individuals through the justice system,” said the Chief Justice.
CJ Martha Koome Urges Police to Exercise Restraint. At the same time, Koome noted that public protests have strained the country’s democracy, highlighting the need to balance the constitutional right to peaceful assembly with the duty of police to act professionally and put people first.
“On one hand, members of the public must exercise their right to protest peacefully, without carrying arms, and without engaging in acts of destruction, looting, or vandalism of public infrastructure such as government buildings and court infrastructure, or private businesses,” said the Chief Justice.