Ruto condemned the incident which saw Kivuti succumbing to gunshot wounds sustained on June 13 while holding an active court session at the law courts.
Right after returning to the country, President William Ruto on Monday, June 17 announced that he joined the family, friends and the judicial fraternity in mourning the tragic death of Monica Kivuti who was serving as the Principal Magistrate of the Makadara Law Courts.
In a statement on X, Ruto condemned the incident which saw Kivuti succumbing to gunshot wounds sustained on June 13 while holding an active court session at the law courts.
“The confrontation, threats or attacks of any form against judicial officers is unacceptable, criminal and an affront to the rule of law,” he stated in part.
“The Police exists to assure Kenyans of reliable security. Under no circumstances should they abandon this essential obligation or ever turn from their duty of protection and become threats to the safety and security of the people.”
Photo of the late Makadara Law Courts Principal Magistrate, Monica Kivuti. /LINKEDIN
He pointed out that police officers exist to assure Kenyans of reliable security and should not abandon their role to become threats to the safety of the people.
Ruto thus tasked the police to ensure that judicial officers in Kenya are protected at all costs while on duty.
“What happened to Hon. Kivuti is unacceptable; it should never happen again. I ask the police to ensure the safety of our judicial officers at all times as they discharge their duties,” he added.
Ruto mourned the loss of Kivuti, saying the country had lost a firm and hardworking judicial professional who served Kenyans with dedication and that she still had a lot to offer to Kenya.
Kivuti passed away shortly after requesting blood donations through her caregivers at the hospital.
The incident occurred at Makadara Law Courts when the magistrate revoked the bond for a police officer’s wife after she violated her bond terms without a satisfactory explanation.
Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, the officer involved, then proceeded to shoot the magistrate in the thigh before being killed by officers present in the courtroom.
According to police, Chief Inspector Kipruto forcibly entered the courtroom and opened fire on the Magistrate after the court ordered his wife, Jennifer Wairimu, 48, to be remanded for violating her bond terms in a case involving obtaining Ksh2.9 million by false pretenses.
Following the incident, Chief Justice Martha Koome declared Tuesday, June 18 as a day of mourning for the entire Judiciary in solidarity with Kivuti’s family, friends, colleagues, and all Judges, Judicial Officers and Staff who were deeply affected by the tragedy.
Furthermore, Makadara Law Courts will remain closed until Monday, June 24, 2024, to allow the dismantling of the makeshift court structures and to allow reorganization for security reasons.
An undated photo of the Makadara Law Courts. /MAKADARA LAW COURTS