By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A principal magistrate in Kenya who was earlier in the week shot by a senior police officer in open court has passed away, the country’s Chief Justice announced on Saturday.
The Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti had “lost the fight” against her “extensive injuries”, Chief Justice Martha K Koome wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Heritage Times HT reports that the senior police officer identified as Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto had opened fire on the late magistrate over a judgment he found unfavourable.
The Principal Magistrate had decided on a case reportedly involving the wife of the police officer.
He was infuriated following the decision of the Magistrate to revoke his wife’s bail after she had absconded from the court.
After the shooting by the police officer who is in charge of a police station in Londiani in western Kenya, other officers in court responded immediately, with one of them shooting the offending policeman and killing him.
Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti was however rushed to the hospital, along with three other police officers over injuries they sustained from the shooting and the ensuing chaotic environment.
The rest of the victims are said to be in stable condition.
“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,” said Justice Koome in a statement on Saturday.
“The Judiciary family stands in solidarity during this deeply traumatic time and calls for sensitivity and compassion as we share in grief.”
According to The Star newspaper, which spoke to a source at Nairobi Hospital, Ms Kivuti died on Friday night after she was shot in the chest and leg.
The Makadara Law Courts are expected to remain locked until Monday.
The national police service said in a statement on Thursday that Kipruto was in the court for “unknown reasons”.
Investigations into the matter have commenced. Justice Koome said it was clear Kipruto had intended to kill Ms Kivuti.
The police in the country, like their counterparts in major African countries have often been accused of being involved in extra-judicial killings but no such incident has been reported inside court.
The judiciary has said it will enhance security measures and has assured judicial staff and other court users of their safety and security.
“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,” said chief registrar of the judiciary Winfridah Mokaya.
Heritage Times HT reports that in May, eight operatives of Nigeria’s leading intelligence agency, Department of State Services, reportedly stormed Ogun State High Court sitting in Ilaro and whisked away the duo of Alhaji Fatai Isiaka and one Samuel Oyero.
They are defendants in a case of arson with suit number HCP/IC/2023, The State vs. Awode Oladosu and 13 others.
The umbrella body of lawyers in the West African country has described the act as “desecration” of temple of justice.
