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Emergency blood appeal for wounded Makadara magistrate

Recce Squad officers guard the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi on June 13, 2024, following the shooting of Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti. (Photo: Joseph Ndunda/EV)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Friday, June 14, 2024

The Magistrate was shot in the court on Thursday afternoon soon after she had delivered a ruling in a case involving the wife of a senior police officer.

Kenyans are being urged to donate blood for Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti who was shot at the Makadara Law Courts on Thursday.

Omwanza Ombati, the male representative of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), stresses the urgent need for blood donations to support the injured magistrate.

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"Urgent appeal for blood donation. This is to kindly request for blood donation for Hon Monica Kivuti," he said.

Kivuti is currently admitted at the Metropolitan Hospital in Nairobi's BuruBuru estate, Madaraka Sub-county.

The Magistrate was shot in the court on Thursday afternoon soon after she had delivered a ruling in a case involving the wife of a senior police officer.

The individual who shot her, Chief Inspector Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Londiani Police Station in Kericho County, was unhappy with the court's decision to revoke his wife's bond and put her in jail for failing to appear in court infuriated the OCS, according to the police report.

"His wife, one Jenniffer Wairimu, 48, was accused of obtaining money by false pretences amounting to Sh2.9 million," the police report read in part.

The court denied his wife's request for release on cash bail. He entered the court through the magistrate's door and fired shots toward the magistrate, injuring her on the chest and left hip. The court was sitting in a tent outside the main court precincts.

As a result, Chief Justice Martha Koome announced that the court premises at Makadara Law Courts will remain closed until Monday, June 17, 2024, for security reinforcement.

All matters will be heard virtually, while the Milimani Law Courts will mention those requiring physical appearance.

Koome also directed that the Judiciary Police Unit, in consultation with the Office of the Inspector General, reinforce security in all court stations across the country and ensure that persons are not allowed to access court premises while armed, except officers properly accredited to provide security at specified court stations.