Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for calm, accountability, and constitutional integrity as Kenya grapples with a tense political climate following nationwide protests.

In a statement posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, CJ Koome emphasized the need for balance between the right to demonstrate and the duty to maintain public order.

“The NPSC plays a vital role in upholding professional, accountable, democratic and people-centered policing,” she said after presiding over the swearing-in of new commissioners of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).

She cautioned that while the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, that right must not be abused.

“Members of the public must protest peacefully, without carrying arms, and without engaging in acts of destruction, looting, or vandalism of public infrastructure or private businesses,” her statement read.

At the same time, CJ Koome directed the police to exercise restraint and ensure that their responses are proportional, human-rights compliant, and free from unnecessary harm.

“The police must respond with restraint, proportionality, and strict adherence to human rights standards,” she stated, adding that it is the duty of law enforcement to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and criminal elements.

Her tweet highlighted a key concern: that some individuals have been infiltrating otherwise peaceful protests to loot, incite violence, and undermine the legitimacy of civic action.

“Such individuals must be apprehended and processed through the justice system,” CJ Koome added.

She made the remarks after swearing in Ms. Peris Muthoni Kimani, Mr. Benjamin Juma Imai, and Prof. Collette Suda as Commissioners of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), and Mr. Abdullahi Nur Sheikh Kassim as a Member of the National Heroes Council.

CJ Koome also addressed the significance of honoring national heroes at a time when the nation’s democratic fabric is under pressure.

“We must honour our heroes and preserve their legacy. It is they who inspire future generations through service, sacrifice, and patriotism,” she stated.

As the country continues to witness unrest, the Chief Justice’s remarks serve as a clear reminder of the delicate balance between civic freedom and national order — and the duty of every Kenyan to protect both.