The Makadara Law Courts Principal Magistrate, Monica Kivuti, has lost the fight against the extensive injuries sustained during an open gun attack in court.
She passed away while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital.
Magistrate Kivuti was shot on Thursday, June 13, 2024, while passing judgement on an accused person, an incident that also saw a police officer sustain serious gunshot wounds while in line of duty.
The magistrate was shot by the accused person’s partner, who was not happy with the judgement.
Confirming the passing on of the magistrate to the nation, Chief Justice Martha Koome said the judiciary stands in solidarity during this deeply traumatic time.
“I call for sensitivity and compassion as we share in grief,” said Koome.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms, the Chief Justice said a comprehensive statement by the Judiciary Leadership Team, which is in a meeting, will be issued after the meeting.
She prayed to God to grant the soul of Kivuti eternal peace.
Following the unfortunate shooting incident that left the magistrate with gunshot wounds, the judiciary on Friday commenced psychosocial counselling and support for judicial officers and staff stationed at Makadara Law Courts.
As part of the initiative, Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya held a meeting on Friday with judicial officers attached to the court at the Supreme Court Building, where the magistrates were taken through a counselling session by a team of psychologists from Chiromo Hospital led by Dr. Rose Ngondi.
During the meeting, the Chief Registrar said the shooting incident by the assailant is traumatising for the entire judiciary and assured that the judiciary will do everything to ensure the security of judicial officers and staff at Makadara Law Court as they resume duty next week.
“The security situation in Makadara is exacerbated by the judiciary‘s infrastructural challenges; we call for adequate funding to address the judiciary’s infrastructural needs as well as security for judicial officers,” noted Mokaya.
She at the same time condemned the senseless act of violence within the court precincts and urged people who were not satisfied with judicial decisions to raise their grievances through legal channels.
During the meeting, Chief Magistrate Tito Gesora, on behalf of other magistrates, requested the Judiciary beef up security for judicial officers and improve infrastructure at Makadara Law Courts.
The Judiciary’s Directorate of Human Resource Management and Development will continue with psycho-social support for judicial officers and staff in the coming week to address the trauma following the shooting.
By Bernadette Khaduli
