There was pandemonium last Thursday in Makadara, Nairobi, after a senior police officer, Kipchirchir Kipruto, opened fire on a Magistrate, Ms Monica Kivuti during court proceedings.
Kipruto, a senior officer in charge of a police station in Londiani, western Kenya, pulled the trigger inside the courtroom after the magistrate revoked the bail earlier granted his wife due to her failure to appear in court.
In the ensuing confusion, court officers were reported to have immediately intervened during which Kipruto himself was shot dead.
Three other officers were also injured during the incident, according to a police report.
As soon as court workers, litigants and policemen ran to the bench area in the courtroom to save Magistrate Kivuti, she had lost a lot of blood.
The Nairobi Hospital where she received medical attention later disclosed that Ms Kivuti was shot in the chest and leg.
Although the magistrate was initially stabilized, Justice Martha K Koome on Saturday wrote on X, that Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti had “lost the fight” against her “extensive injuries”.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform the nation that Hon. Monica Kivuti, Principal Magistrate, Makadara Law Courts has lost the fight against the extensive injuries sustained during an open gun attack in Court.
“The Judiciary family stands in solidarity during this deeply traumatic time and calls for sensitivity and compassion as we share in grief,” said Justice Koome.
The national police service mentioned that Kipruto was present in court for “unknown reasons,” and investigations are underway to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting.
The judiciary, in a statement, confirmed that Magistrate Kivuti had revoked the bail for an accused person who had jumped bond and did not provide satisfactory reasons for doing so.
The judiciary’s statement reads: “Immediately this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip.”
The judiciary has however vowed to enhance security measures, ensuring the safety of judicial staff and court attendees.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, expressed sympathy, stating, “As the judiciary family, we wish our colleague a quick recovery. We also send our condolences to the family of the officer who lost his life in this unfortunate incident.”
