Chief Justice Martha Koome has declared Tuesday, June 18, as a day of mourning for the entire Judiciary following the death of Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.
Magistrate Kivuti passed away on Saturday, June 15, from injuries sustained after being shot by a police officer at the Makadara Law Courts on Wednesday.
CJ Koome also announced that the Judiciary flag will fly at half-mast across all court stations from Saturday until Kivuti is buried. “Tuesday, 18th June 2024 is declared as a day of mourning for the entire Judiciary in solidarity with Hon Kivuti’s family, friends, and colleagues, as well as all Judges, Judicial Officers, and Staff who have been deeply affected by this tragedy. No Court will sit on this day. Matters that had been listed on Tuesday across all Courts and Tribunals will be accommodated in the Court diaries on a priority basis,” read the statement signed by the Chief Justice.
She further stated that the Makadara Law Courts, the scene of the incident, will remain closed until Monday, June 24, 2024, “to allow the dismantling of the makeshift court structures and to allow reorganization for security reasons. The Judiciary administration will also work day and night to complete the prefabs at Makadara Law Courts.”
“All affected matters listed before Makadara Law Courts next week will be mentioned before Milimani Law Courts.”
Additionally, the Chief Justice called for enhanced security measures and the reorganization of the Judiciary Police Unit into a fully-fledged Police Unit.
“In the immediate phase, the Judiciary calls on the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the Office of Inspector General of Police to deploy additional officers to reinforce the complement of Officers in the Judiciary Police Unit and to reorganize the Judiciary Police Unit into a fully-fledged Police Unit under the leadership of a senior commanding officer with a fully functional Secretariat,” she said.
