Nairobi’s Makadara Law Courts has been closed for four days after a deadly shooting incident in one of its courtrooms.
Hon. Monicah Kivuti, a Principal Magistrate at the Eastlands-based court of law, was delivering a ruling against an accused woman who had her bond cancelled.
However, an aggrieved man believed to be a senior police officer opened fire at the Magistrate, injuring two other police officers who had tried to disarm him.
"Hon. Monicah Kivuti, PC Augustine Michael Kithumbi, PC Maureen Lepes and PC Eunice Macharia are receiving treatment and are all in stable condition."
Chief Justice Martha Koome, while condemning the incident, ordered the immediate closure of the court to review security protocol in the court.
“This tragic incident occurred in a public court of law, exposing Judicial Officers, court users and members of the public to serious threat of attack and injury. It is regrettable that the perpetrator was a senior court user who had open and unfettered access to the courtroom through the special Magistrates’ entrance.”
“The Judiciary together with the Office of Inspector General and connected NCAJ actors will review the security protocols regarding handling of accused persons in the courtroom.”
CJ Koome also indicated that the Judiciary Security Committee will work with the Judiciary Infrastructure and Building Committee and the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary to improve Court premises.
“Given that the Court at Makadara was operating from a makeshift structure, an indication of lack of space and ample facilities at Makadara and in courts across the country, we continue to call upon the National Assembly and the National Treasury to prioritize adequate funding to facilitate the development of appropriate court infrastructure across the country.”
