Hell broke loose at Makadara law court, Nairobi after a police officer shot and seriously injured a Principal Magistrate shortly after cancellation of a bond. The Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot while the court soon after she had delivered a ruling in a case involving the wife of the senior officer who had absconded a bond.
The senior police officer fired at the magistrate before he was shot dead by the court orderies, as calm was restored in the law court. Also injured was a member of the public who was caught up by a bullet and who was taken for treatment
The Magistrate was rushed for treatment in a Nairobi hospital as the incident was condemned by court users.
The deceased is an Officer Commanding Station in Kisumu County. Immediately after the incident Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya condemned the incident. The Registrar said the Principal Magistrate cancelled the bond for an accused person who had jumped the bond and failed to offer satisfactory explanation.
“Initial reports indicate that the shooter is a police officer and the husband of the suspect,” said the Registrar in a statement. The police officer is said to have travelled from Kisumu to attend the court session.
Nairobi Police Commander Mr Adamson Bungei said soon after the magistrate had ruled on the matter, the officer went behind the tent and shot her. The suspect was facing a fraud case, the police commander said and had severally absconded to appear before the court.
“Other officers who were present responded and shot the officer, fatally wounding him,” Bungei said.