Judicial Tragedy: Magistrate shot dead by a police officer

Hon. Monica Kivuti a principal magistrate at Madaraka Law Courts dies after being shot by Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto a senior police officer. This happened on Thursday, June 13 after Ms. Kivuti rejected the bond request for the police officer’s wife who had requested release on bail after pleading guilty to obtaining Ksh2.9 million ($22,700) by false pretenses.

Police officers at the scene responded and killed the shooter. Three other police officers were injured on the scene as they tried to deal with the rogue policeman.
“It is clear that the intention of the perpetrator was to kill the magistrate,” CJ Koome said.

CJ Koome urged that all Judiciary flags fly at half-mast until Magistrate Kivuti is buried. “The Judiciary flag will fly at half-mast from today (Saturday) across all court stations until Hon Kivuti is laid to rest,” CJ koome said.

Tuesday, June 18, was declared a day for mourning and all court proceedings listed for that day were canceled. No Court will sit on this day. “Matters that had been listed on Tuesday across all Courts and Tribunals will be accommodated in the Court diaries on a priority basis,” she said.

Investigations about the murder are still ongoing and the ongoing threats to the safety of judges. CJ koome ordered the strengthening of security at all courts nationwide.