NAIROBI | A police officer has been shot dead after he opened fire at a magistrate in court in the Kenyan capital Nairobi after his wife’s bail was cancelled.
Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, officer in-charge of a police station in Londiani in western Kenya, shot Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti over a ruling in a case involving his wife.
Kenyan Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said in a statement that Kipruto’s wife, Jennifer Wairimu,had been charged with obtaining KSh2.9 million by false pretence.
“His wife had pleaded to be released on cash bail, but the court did not grant,” Koome said.
The court was sitting in a tent outside the main court precincts.
“He entered the court through the magistrate’s door and fired shots towards the magistrate, injuring her on the chest and left hip,” Koome said.
Kipruto had travelled to Nairobi from Kisumu to attend the hearing.
After Kipruto pulled out a gun and shot at the magistrate, court police officers responded immediately and put him out of action.
The magistrate and three other officers were taken to hospital with injuries from the shootout in court.
“Magistrate Kivuti cancelled the bond for an accused person who had jumped bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping bond,” the Kenyan Judiciary chief registrar Winfridah Mokaya said in a statement.
“Immediately this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip. As the judiciary family, we wish our colleague a quick recovery. We also send our condolences to the family of the officer who lost his life in this unfortunate incident.”
Police in Kenya said the shooter was not assigned for the court session and his reasons for being there remains a subject to investigations.
The judiciary has said it will enhance security measures and has assured judicial staff and other court users of their safety and security.