A senior police officer was shot dead after he opened fire on a magistrate in a Nairobi courtroom, following a ruling against his wife.
Monica Kivuti, the Makadara Principal Magistrate, was attacked by Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, who was in charge of a police station in Londiani, Western Kenya.
This happened on Thursday, not long after she had revoked Kipruto’s wife’s bail because she had neglected to show up for court. Kipruto shot Magistrate Kivuti after becoming enraged with the verdict, hurting her.
It was stated that court officers moved in right away, and during the ensuing altercation, Kipruto was shot and killed.
A police report states that the incident also resulted in the injuries of three additional cops.
The legal system attested to Magistrate Kivuti’s decision to revoke the bail of an accused individual who had jumped bond and failed to present adequate justification for the action.
The judiciary’s statement read, “Immediately after this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip.”
Its initial reports indicated “that the shooter is a police officer who is married to the suspect.”
Kipruto was in court for “unknown reasons,” according to the national police agency, and inquiries are being conducted to find out what exactly led up to the shooting.
At first, it was stated that the injured magistrate and officers were being treated in a hospital.
Justice Martha K. Koome, however, stated on X on Saturday that Monica Kivuti, the Makadara Principal Magistrate, 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.
Ms. Kivuti was wounded in the leg and chest, an insider at Nairobi Hospital informed The Star newspaper.
The judiciary has pledged to strengthen security measures in response, guaranteeing the security of court personnel and visitors.
Winfridah Mokaya, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, expressed condolences, saying, “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.”
