In a shocking incident that unfolded in a Nairobi courtroom, a senior Kenyan police officer identified as Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto was shot dead after he opened fire on Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti. The shooting occurred shortly after the magistrate made a ruling in a case allegedly involving the officer’s wife, canceling her bail for absconding.
Angered by the court’s decision, the chief inspector, who was in charge of a police station in Londiani, western Kenya, drew his gun and shot the magistrate, injuring her hip. Other officers present in the courtroom responded swiftly, with one of them fatally shooting the offending policeman. During the exchange of fire, three other officers sustained injuries.
The injured magistrate and officers are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital. The judiciary released a statement confirming the incident and the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The national police service stated that the officer was in the courtroom for “unknown reasons” and that investigations are ongoing to determine the events leading up to the shooting.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Kenya, as such an occurrence inside a courtroom is unprecedented. While the police have faced accusations of extra-judicial killings in the past, no similar incident has been reported within the confines of a court. In response, the judiciary has vowed to enhance security measures and assure the safety of judicial staff and court users. Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya expressed condolences to the family of the deceased officer and wished the injured magistrate a speedy recovery.