Echoes of War: CJ Koome calls for court orders to be respected

Chief Justice Martha Koome has criticised the events that transpired during the Kenya National Drama Festival in Nakuru, involving students from Butere Girls High School, calling them a grave violation of the rule of law.

In a statement released on Thursday, Koome expressed deep concern over the failure to comply with a High Court order that had explicitly allowed the participation of 50 students from the school in the drama festival.

“It is particularly disturbing that these events occurred against the backdrop of clear and binding court orders issued by the High Court sitting in Kisii,” the CJ stated.

The court order stemmed from the case Anifa Mango v Principal, Butere Girls High School & 3 Others, Petition No. E006 of 2025, in which the court directed both the school and festival organisers to facilitate the performance of a play titled  Echoes of War by the students.

Koome noted that the deliberate disregard of the court ruling represents a serious threat to the foundation of Kenya’s constitutional democracy.

“Defiance of court orders not only undermines the authority of the courts but also poses a serious threat to the rule of law, which is the bedrock of our society,” she warned.

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The Chief Justice also expressed alarm at reports of force and violence  being used against the students during the incident, saying such actions raise troubling constitutional questions.

“These reports raise serious concerns about the respect for the dignity, rights, and welfare of children — who, under both our Constitution and international law, are entitled to special protection,” she said.

CJ Koome urged all arms of government, public officials, and state agencies to fully comply with court directives, stressing that legal orders are not suggestions but binding requirements.

“Respect for court orders is not optional. It is a constitutional imperative that safeguards our collective commitment to the rule of law,” she added.