A senior police officer was fatally shot after he opened fire on a magistrate in a Nairobi courtroom on Thursday, BBC reports. The incident occurred after the magistrate revoked the bail of the officer's wife.
Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, the officer in charge of a police station in Londiani, western Kenya, attacked Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti shortly after she canceled the bail for Kipruto’s wife, citing her failure to appear in court.
Angered by the decision, Kipruto drew a firearm and shot Magistrate Kivuti, wounding her. Court officers swiftly intervened, and in the ensuing confrontation, Kipruto was shot dead. Three other officers sustained injuries during the incident, according to a police report.
The judiciary confirmed that Magistrate Kivuti had revoked the bail for an accused individual who had absconded and failed to provide satisfactory reasons. "Immediately this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip," read a judiciary statement, noting that the shooter was initially identified as a police officer married to the suspect.
The national police service indicated that Kipruto was present in court for "unknown reasons," and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Initially, the injured magistrate and officers received treatment at the hospital. However, on Saturday, Justice Martha K. Koome announced via social media platform X that Magistrate Kivuti had succumbed to her 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."
Justice Koome expressed the judiciary's solidarity during this difficult time, calling for sensitivity and compassion. A source at Nairobi Hospital told The Star newspaper that Magistrate Kivuti had been shot in the chest and leg.
In response to the tragedy, the judiciary has pledged to enhance security measures to ensure the safety of judicial staff and court attendees. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya extended condolences, stating, "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."
