Makadara Law Courts closed after shooting incident
By Joseph Ndunda |
Koome said the judiciary security committee will engage stakeholders to adopt and implement security measures for each court station.
The Judiciary has closed Makadara Law Courts until Monday next week after a senior police officer shot and seriously wounded a magistrate and two police officers inside a temporary courtroom during proceedings.
Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot in the chest and thigh by Chief Inspector Samson Kipruto, who was disappointed after his lover, a suspect before the court, was remanded in custody.
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Kivuti is fighting for her life at a city hospital where she was rushed together with the two police officers, constables Augustine Michael Kithumbi and Maureen Lepes, who were also shot while shielding her from the assailant.
Chief Justice Martha Koome ordered the closure of the court pending preliminary security measures by the police.
"The court premises at the Makadara Law Courts will remain closed until June 17, 2024, for security reinforcement. All matters at the court will be heard virtually and those requiring physical appearance are mentioned at the Milimani Law Courts," said the CJ.
"The Executive Director of the National Council for Administration of Justice (NCAJ) will convene an urgent meeting of the NCAJ to discuss factors leading to this tragic incident and to adopt measures to avert any future threats."
Koome said the judiciary security committee will engage stakeholders to adopt and implement security measures for each court station.
The CJ said the judiciary security committee will work with the infrastructure and building teams to ensure all judiciary infrastructure meets international security standards for judges and other staffers.
One of the measures the judiciary is contemplating is to ensure that no one is allowed into court premises while armed, including police officers who are not accredited for providing security at specified court stations. Other measures include reviewing protocols for handling suspects in courtrooms.
Kipruto had unfettered access to the courtroom because he was a senior officer. He had accompanied his lover, Jennifer Wairimu, who has a case pending before Kivuti. He was angered after the magistrate cancelled bond terms for the suspect and remanded her in custody, prompting him to launch a gun attack on her.
Wairimu is facing charges of fraud after allegedly obtaining Sh2.9 million contrary to section 313 of the Penal Code. The magistrate issued a warrant of arrest against her for failure to attend court.
The suspect arrived claiming to be unwell, and her explanation for failing to attend court was unsatisfactory, leading to the cancellation of the bond.
The body of the deceased officer was removed from the scene after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) teams concluded preliminary investigations. The suspect's car, marked as exhibit number 27, is still parked outside the courtroom.
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