Nairobi — Activities at the Kibera Law courts were Friday suspended at noon after word went round that the premises would be petrol-bombed.

Everyone including the magistrates hurriedly left the premises. Only four armed policemen remained behind.

The court has seven magistrates but only two of them were on duty on Friday. Two others are on leave.

Principal magistrate, Judith Wanjala and Resident magistrate Margaret Kasera were escorted out of the building by Flying Squad officers to their homes. Court orderlies, clerks and prosecutors left in a prison bus and a lorry carrying prisoners and anti-riot police. Kibera Makina location youth chairman, Nyandiero Agar, alleged that on Thursday about 2,000 protesters invaded Kibera court threatening to set it on fire.

They had said they would burn it after they were blocked from attending a rally called by ODM to protest over the disputed December presidential elections.

Mr Agar said he pleaded with them for more than 45 minutes. They were armed with petrol bombs and tyres.

The mob left but vowed to torch the court premises the following day. On Friday, business at the court did not start until 10.30 am.