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"It should never happen again!" Ruto says as he mourns slain Magistrate Kivuti

President William Ruto. (Photo: PCS)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Monday, June 17, 2024

Ruto stated that the confrontation, threats, or attacks of any form against judicial officers are unacceptable, criminal, and an affront to the rule of law.

President William Ruto has joined the Judiciary and Kenyans in mourning the death of Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.

While offering his condolences to Kivuti's family and the judicial fraternity, the President on Monday termed the events leading to Kivuti's death as unacceptable.

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"What happened to Kivuti is unacceptable; it should never happen again," Ruto said.

The Head of State eulogised the late Magistrate as a firm and hardworking judicial professional who served Kenyans with dedication and still had a lot to offer in her line of duty.

Ruto stated that the confrontation, threats, or attacks of any form against judicial officers are unacceptable, criminal, and an affront to the rule of law.

The President emphasised that the Police exist to assure Kenyans of reliable security.

"Under no circumstances should they (police) abandon this essential obligation or ever turn from their duty of protection and become threats to the safety and security of the people," Ruto noted.

Safety of judicial officers

As a result, the President called on the police to ensure the safety of judicial officers at all times as they discharge their duties.

Kivuti, who was shot by a senior police officer inside her courtroom last Thursday later died at the Nairobi Hospital on Saturday.

The late Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti. (Photo: Handout)

It was reported that the attacker, Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of the Londiani Police Station in Kericho County, shot Kivuti because he was unhappy with the court's decision to revoke his wife's bond and put her in jail for failing to appear in court, according to a police report seen by The Eastleigh Voice.

Kipruto was gunned down at the scene, with the police report saying a fellow court officer "countered and fatally shot" him.

Kîvuti was initially taken to the Metropolitan Hospital and was transferred to the Nairobi Hospital on Thursday night for specialised treatment. Koome visited her on Friday afternoon.

Following the shooting, the court was closed until Monday 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," Koome said at the time.

"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."

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemned the incident, which President Faith Odhiambo described as part of a troubling trend of increasing threats and attacks against judicial officers and advocates.

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