Shooting
The judiciary has strongly condemned the shooting incident involving a police officer and a Magistrate at the Makadara Law Courts on June 13, 2024.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya explained that during an open court session earlier on the said date, the Magistrate cancelled the bond for an accused person who had jumped bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping bond.
Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot by Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, the husband of the accused, Jennifer Wairimu, 48, who is charged with obtaining Sh 2.9 million by false pretenses. “Immediately this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the Magistrate and injured her on the hip,” explained Mokaya in a statement to newsrooms.
She explained that Police Officers at the scene responded and neutralized the shooter as the Magistrate was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Mokaya said preliminary reports indicate that the shooter is a Police Officer who is married to the suspect whose bond was cancelled. “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,” she said.
She continued: “We urge for calm from all court users as our law enforcement agencies further investigate this incident. 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.”
Meanwhile Chief Justice Martha Koome last evening announced the closure of the Makadara Law Courts until Monday June 17 to reinforce security. She has directed that all matters be heard virtually with those requiring physical appearance being transferred to Milimani Law Courts.