CJ Koome Issues 8 Directives Following Death of Magistrate Monica Kivuti

Chief Justice Martha Koome has issued several directives to the Judiciary following the death of Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti.  

In a statement on Saturday, June 15, Koome directed that the Judiciary flag be flown half mast until the late magistrate is laid to rest.

The Chief Justice further declared Tuesday, June 18, a day of mourning for the entire judiciary in solidarity with the deceased magistrate's family.

According to Koome, no court shall sit on that day.

“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,” the CJ remarked.

Koome further ordered presiding judges to lead remembrance meetings in common rooms across all courts on Tuesday to allow the judicial staff to commemorate Kivuti's life and condole with her family.

She directed the courts in Nairobi to convene at the Makadara and Milimani Law Courts on the said date at 10:00 am.

The CJ additionally directed that the Makadara Law Courts remain closed until Monday, June 24, to allow dismantling of makeshift court structures and reorganization for security reasons.

“The Judiciary administration will also work day and night to complete prefabs at Makadara Law Courts,” Koome added.

She also ordered that cases before Makadara Law Courts be mentioned before Milimani Law Courts until the latter is reopened.

Further, the CJ directed the Judiciary to engage the Executive and Parliament on resources to support the implementation of past recommendations on securing the Judiciary, even as she ordered the Judiciary administrative units to work on boosting security across all courts using available resources.

Meanwhile, Koome disclosed that the judicial officers and staff will continue to receive psycho-social support so as to better cope with the traumatic incident, calling upon medical and psychological counselling entities for support.

“We call upon professional medical and psychological counselling entities to provide complimentary psycho-social support to Judiciary members and affected court users/justice actors across the country,” the CJ remarked.

Additionally, she called upon the Ministry of Interior and the Office of Inspector General of Police to deploy additional officers to reinforce the complement of officers in the Judiciary Police Unit and reorganize the unit into a fully fledged police unit.

Kivuti was shot and injured at the Makadara Law Courts on June 13, 2024, before succumbing to injuries on Saturday, June 15.