A senior police officer was shot dead after opening fire on a magistrate in a Nairobi courtroom following a ruling involving his wife, BBC reports. Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, who headed a police station in Londiani, western Kenya, attacked Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.
The incident occurred on Thursday shortly after Magistrate Kivuti canceled bail for Kipruto’s wife due to her failure to appear in court. Enraged by the decision, Kipruto pulled out a gun and shot Magistrate Kivuti, injuring her, as reported by the BBC.
Court officers immediately intervened, and in the ensuing confrontation, Kipruto was shot dead. According to a police report, three other officers were injured during the incident. The judiciary confirmed that Magistrate Kivuti had revoked the bail for an accused person who had jumped bond and did not provide satisfactory reasons for doing so.
The judiciary’s statement read, “Immediately this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip.” It noted initial reports indicating “that the shooter is a police officer who is married to the suspect.”
The national police service mentioned that Kipruto was present in court for “unknown reasons,” and investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to the shooting. The injured magistrate and officers were initially reported to be receiving treatment in the hospital.
However, on Saturday, Justice Martha K Koome wrote on X that Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti had “lost the fight” against her “extensive injuries.” She stated, “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.
A source at Nairobi Hospital told The Star newspaper that Ms. Kivuti was shot in the chest and leg. In response, the judiciary has vowed to enhance security measures, ensuring the safety of judicial staff and court attendees. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya expressed sympathy, 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.”
