Kenya: Policeman opens fire on magistrate in court after ruling against his wife

Authorities in Kenya said a senior police officer was gunned down on Thursday after he shot a magistrate who had canceled his wife’s bond in court. Per BBC, Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti was shot by police Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto shortly after she canceled his wife’s bond.

Prior to his killing, Kipruto oversaw a police station in the western Kenyan town of Londiani. He reportedly opened fire on Kivuti after he took issue with the ruling against his wife. In a statement, the East African nation’s Chief Registrar of the Judiciary said police officers at the scene “responded” and “neutralized” Kipruto.

The statement also said the shooting happened during an open court session. “The Magistrate canceled the bond for an accused person who had jumped bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping bond,” the statement explained.

Kipruto is said to have shot Kivuti and injured her on the hip “immediately” after she made the ruling against his wife. Besides the magistrate, three other police officers sustained injuries from the shooting, authorities said, adding that they were all taken to the hospital for treatment. 

The country’s national police service said the “reasons” behind the deceased officer’s presence in the court were “unknown”, BBC reported. Kenyans also responded to the courtroom shooting with shock as an incident of such nature has been unheard of. Nevertheless, extra-judicial killings by Kenyan police are said to be a matter of concern. 

Besides sending condolences to the magistrate as well as the family of the deceased police officer, the judiciary also assured its fellow officers as well as staff and court users of their “safety and security in all our premises.”

“We will enhance our security protocols for civilians visiting our courts as well as security officers who visit courts in circumstances that do not require them to be armed,” the statement said.