Operations at the Nairobi Law Courts came to an abrupt halt yesterday after an estimated 300 suspected Mungiki sect members fought with prison warders along court corridors.
Business was put off for about 20 minutes as the dignified court corridors became alleys where rowdy youths fought the warders.
There was a stampede when the officers were forced to cock their guns to repulse the rowdy group.
Some armed themselves with stones and dared the officers to move closer while others jumped over the fence and scampered to "safety", with the officers in hot pursuit.
The dramatic scenes, not seen at the Nairobi Law Courts in a long time, drew curious on-lookers. The mid-morning incident prompted court orderlies to vet those getting into the court as a security ring was thrown around the seat of justice.
A few metres away, the blind goddess of justice kept watch as the onslaught against justice was taken right into its turf.
According to court orderlies, the youths wanted to force their way into the Prison’s basement cells at the High Court.
Thirty-four people have been charged with being members of the outlawed sect. Among them is Mr John Maina Njenga, said to be the Mungiki chairman.
Yesterday, the suspects were before Chief Magistrate Aggrey Muchelule to take fresh hearing dates. He directed the case to be heard from November 1 to 5.