A senior Kenyan police officer was fatally shot after opening fire at a magistrate in Nairobi’s court.
Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, stationed at a police station in Londiani, western Kenya, shot Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti following her ruling in a case involving his wife.
The magistrate had cancelled the wife’s bail due to her failure to appear in court.
Enraged by this decision, Kipruto drew his gun and injured Magistrate Kivuti. Other officers in the courtroom responded quickly, with one shooting and killing Kipruto.
During the altercation, three other officers were injured and are receiving treatment along with the magistrate.
The judiciary explained that the magistrate had revoked bail for an accused person who had “jumped bond and failed to offer satisfactory explanations for doing so.”
Following this ruling, a person, reportedly a police officer married to the accused, shot at the magistrate, injuring her on the hip.
The national police service stated that Kipruto’s presence in court was for “unknown reasons,” and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the shooting.
The incident has shocked Kenyans, as police have been previously accused of extra-judicial killings, but not in a courtroom setting.
In response, the judiciary has pledged to enhance security measures to ensure the safety of judicial staff and court users.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya expressed wishes for the magistrate’s quick recovery and extended condolences to the officer’s family, calling the incident unfortunate.
Source-BBC
