President William Ruto has called for enhanced protection of judicial officers following the tragic death of Makadara Principal Magistrate Monicah Kivuti.
Magistrate Kivuti succumbed to gunshot wounds after a senior police officer opened fire in open court last week, also injuring three other officers. The Officer Commanding Police Station in Kisumu County was shot dead on the spot by fellow officers.
President Ruto condemned the violence and emphasized that threats or attacks against judicial officers are unacceptable and a criminal affront to the rule of law. He stressed that the police must uphold their duty to protect citizens, including judicial officers, and ensure such incidents do not recur.
“I join the family, friends, and the judicial fraternity in mourning the tragic death of Honourable Monica Kivuti, who was serving as the Principal Magistrate of the Makadara Courts,” President Ruto posted on his X account on Monday. “The confrontation, threats, or attacks of any form against judicial officers is unacceptable, criminal, and an affront to the rule of law.”
He reiterated that the primary role of the police is to provide reliable security for Kenyans. “Under no circumstances should they abandon this essential obligation or ever turn from their duty of protection and become threats to the safety and security of the people,” he said.
President Ruto called for immediate measures to ensure the safety of judicial officers as they carry out their duties. “We have lost a firm and hardworking judicial professional who served Kenyans with dedication. She still had a lot to offer to our country,” he added, expressing his condolences. “I pray that the Almighty God grants you strength to bear this loss and comfort you with divine solace.”
In honor of Magistrate Kivuti, Chief Justice Martha Koome directed that all Judiciary flags fly at half-mast until she is laid to rest. “The Judiciary flag will fly at half-mast from today (Saturday) across all court stations until Hon Kivuti is laid to rest,” CJ Koome said in a statement on Saturday.
Magistrate Kivuti was shot on Thursday afternoon at the Makadara Law Courts and succumbed to her injuries on Friday night at the Nairobi Hospital.
