Chief Justice Martha Koome has hailed slain Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti for her integrity in following the law when administering Justice.
This comes as the Judicial Service Commission reveals that the accused person in the matter that led to the fatal shooting of the magistrate had absconded court on seven different occasions and presented false medical documents in court.
Medical documents presented by her counsel for authentication would later prove false.
“On the fateful day, 13th June 2024, the accused person attended court when the Prosecution presented the report from the Investigating Officer indicating that the information presented to the court with regard to the accused person’s ailment was not truthful. On that basis, the Prosecution argued that the accused person was a flight risk and applied for her to be remanded in custody” said Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The obtaining situation prompted the principal magistrate to order a pre-bail report to be filed within 14 days, the accused be remanded at Langata Women’s Prison, The Officer in charge Langata Women’s Prison to avail an ambulance to escort the accused person to hospital for treatment and the matter be set for mention on the 27th June 2024 for pre-bail report and hearing on 6th August 2024.
Koome who is also the chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission regretted that as a result of the ruling, the Magistrate was shot several times by an assailant, a senior police officer, husband of the accused charged with obtaining Ksh 2.9 million by false pretence.
“We commend the gallant police officers who responded to protect the Hon. Magistrate and other court users in return some officers sustained injuries. We emphasize that the Judiciary has structures and procedures for redress for persons dissatisfied with court decisions including those on Bail and Bond”, she told journalists.
As a precautionary measure, the CJ maintained Judiciary services will no longer be rendered in makeshift structures but would instead upscale the use of virtual courts and also engage parliament for sufficient resource allocation to expedite the completion of four courts within Nairobi.
“As a matter of urgency, the JSC will work with other agencies to expedite the completion of four courts within Nairobi (Mihango, Huruma, Kasarani and Dagoretti) in order to decongest Makadara, Milimani and Kibera Law Courts” she noted.
Meanwhile, Makadara Law Courts will remain closed until further notice to allow the Office of the Chief Registrar to put in place measures that will guarantee safety and security of Judicial Officers, staff and all court users.
“The JSC reassures Judges, Judicial Officers and Staff of support to help them cope with the heinous and tragic incident” she assured.
Kivuti will be buried this Saturday, June 22, 2024.
