By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Judiciary has gathered to mourn and celebrate the life of Hon. Monica Kivuti, Principal Magistrate at the Makadara Law Courts who died in the line of duty.
On June 13, 2024, Hon. Kivuti was working over lunch hour in a makeshift structure erected to facilitate access to justice for thousands of Kenyans who depend on the constrained resources extended to the Judiciary for access to justice.
Tragically, that day, a police officer, who had accompanied an accused person to court, attacked Hon. Kivuti, shooting her several times in open court – the very seat of justice.
Despite the collective efforts of doctors at Metropolitan Hospital in Buruburu and subsequently at The Nairobi Hospital, Hon. Kivuti succumbed to her extensive injuries on the night of 14th June 2024.
According to Chief Justice Martha Koome, Hon. Kivuti was a hardworking and dedicated officer.
“Hon. Kivuti was a dedicated Judicial Officer who served the bench with boundless dedication, utmost humility, courage, and commitment for nearly eleven years. She joined the Judiciary as a Resident Magistrate on 17th July 2013,” Chief Justice said on X.
Monica Kivuti served at Kiambu Law Courts, Baricho Law Courts, and from 12th October 2021, at Makadara Law Courts as Principal Magistrate, a position she attained on 21st February 2023.
“The last few days have been filled with soul-searching, reflection, sadness, anger and pain. Indeed, the killing of a judicial officer in the seat of justice is unprecedented and amounts to an attack on judicial independence and the rule of law, values cherished by our Constitution. Today, we voice our grief and pain. As an institution, our hearts are heavy, but our spirit remains strong. This is one of the most difficult moments in the history of Kenya’s justice system,” CJ said on X.