Makadara law court Magistrate Monica Kivuti is fighting for her life at Metropolitan Hospital in Bururburu, Nairobi after she sustained gunshot following dramatic shooting during delivery of a ruling in an active court session.
The shooter, a police officer, Chief Inspector Samson Kipruto aged 55 years old and an Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in Londiani, Kericho county had traveled to Nairobi for the hearing of the case involving his wife.
During the melee, the officer was also fatally injured by his colleagues manning the court.
Kipruto (now deceased) is reported to have been infuriated by the Magistrate’s decision to cancel the bond granted to his wife and got into the court room through the magistrate’s door and shot Kivuti on the left thigh; injuring her hip and chest.
The Judiciary has since issued a quick recovery wish to the officer of the court and condolences to the deceased but committed to enhance security measures and protocols to protect officers of the court going forward.
“He entered the court through the magistrate’s door and fired shots toward the magistrate injuring her on the chest and left hip. He was countered and fatally shot by a fellow officer who was in the court.” The police said in a report.
In her statement after the incident, the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya said security protocal has been enhanced at the court premises.
“We would also like to assure all judicial officers, staff and court users of their safety and security in all our premises. We will enhance our security protocols for civilians visiting our courts as well as security officers who visit courts in circumstances that do not require them to be armed.” She said.
The Magistrate had canceled the bond for an accused person who had jumped bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping bond.
Three officers were injured during the altercation including Augustine Michael Kithumbi who was injured on the left eye, Maureen Lepes who sustained a gun shot in the left leg and Eunice Macharia who sustained an injury on the left hand.
The injured officers were rushed to hospital in stable condition.
A Jericho pistol was recovered at the scene, scene processed by CSI team from Buruburu and while the body of the deceased officer moved to city mortuary awaiting autopsy.