A senior police officer shot and injured Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti at Makadara Law Courts during a court session. The officer, reportedly from Kericho, and the husband of an accused person, fired at the magistrate, shooting her in the thigh. The incident, occurred in Court Room 9, has prompting the DCI to investigate.
According to Citizen Digital, the shooting happened after Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti canceled the bond of the officer’s wife for failing to attend court sessions.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, confirmed the sequence of events in an official statement.
Mokaya explained, “During an open court session earlier today, the magistrate canceled the bond for an accused person who had jumped the bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping the bond. Immediately after this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip.”
Emergency services quickly responded, transporting Magistrate Kivuti to the hospital. Court orderlies and other officers on the scene neutralized the armed officer immediately after the shooting. The officer was detained, and the courtroom was cordoned off by Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) officers.
The Judiciary has since implemented measures to enhance security within court premises. “The incident involving the police officer and the magistrate was so saddening and unfortunate,” stated Chief Registrar Mokaya.
In response, the Judiciary has prohibited civilians and officers from entering court premises while armed, unless in situations that necessitate firearms.
By Vivian K.