CJ Koome closes Makadara Law Courts following shooting incident

Chief Justice Martha Koome speaks at Milimani Law Courts during a past event. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Chief Justice Martha Koome has ordered the closure of Makadara Law Courts until June 17, 2024, following a shooting incident.

This is after Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot by a senior police officer working at the Nairobi-based court on Thursday afternoon.

In a statement, CJ Koome said Kivuti sustained serious injuries.

"The Judiciary strongly condemns this act of violence and calls upon the national security agencies to respond to this occurrence with utmost urgency and sensitivity," said CJ Koome.

The Chief Justice explained that the policeman forced his way into the court through the magistrate's entrance and shot her.

The magistrate had earlier sent for an accused person who had failed to show up in court several times to remand pending a probation report.

"Before her appearance in Court on June 13, 2024, the accused had absconded appearance severally having been released on bond. She indicated that she had been unwell. The court ordered that a probation report be prepared and remanded the accused in custody pending the provision of the report," said CJ Koome.

The magistrate sustained serious gunshot injuries on the chest and pelvic areas. Two officers who rushed to her rescue were seriously injured.

"Unfortunately, the perpetrator sustained fatal injuries".

After the incident, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome assured the Judiciary of safety, saying investigations into the incident are underway.