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It should not happen again! Ruto mourns Makadara magistrate

"Threats or attacks of any form against judicial officers is criminal and an affront to the rule of law."

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by JAMES MBAKA

News17 June 2024 - 09:54
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In Summary


  • The president warned police officers against turning their guns on people
  • He said police should protect Kenyans and must never be a threat to judicial officers .
Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti

 

President William Ruto has asked the police to protect judicial officers saying what happened to Makadara Principal Magistrate Monicah Kivuti 'should not happen again ''.

The magistrate succumbed to gunshot wounds after a senior police office opened fire in an open court in Makadara last week, injuring three other officers.

The Officer Commanding Police Station in Kisumu County was shot dead on the spot by fellow officers.

The president warned police officers against turning their guns on people they are supposed to protect insisting that threats to judicial officers is unacceptable

"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." 

The president said that the police exists to assure Kenyans of reliable security.

"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.

He said what happened to Kivuti is unacceptable and should never happen again.

"I ask the police to ensure the safety of our judicial officers at all times as they discharge 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," the President said.

"I pray that the Almighty God grants you strength to bear this loss, and comfort you with divine solace," he said.

Chief Justice Martha Koome directed that all Judiciary flags fly at half-mast in honour of Magistrate Kivuti.

Magistrate Kivuti was shot on Thursday afternoon at the Makadara Law Courts and succumbed to her injuries Friday night at the Nairobi Hospital.

CJ Koome said the flags will 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.

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