Five people were rushed to Bungoma Referral Hospital on Tuesday after a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer's firearm accidentally discharged during court proceedings at Bungoma Law Courts.
In a statement issued by the Judiciary, the incident occurred at 10:50 am during the hearing of a criminal matter in the High Court, resulting in injuries to the DCI officer, a Kenya Prisons Officer, and three civilians.
The Judiciary confirmed that the firearm belonging to the DCI officer accidentally discharged a bullet during the court session, causing injuries to multiple individuals present in the courtroom.
"At 10:50am, during the hearing of a criminal matter in the High Court, a DCI officer's firearm accidentally discharged a bullet, injuring him, a Kenya Prison's Officer, and three civilians," the statement read.
All five injured parties were immediately rushed to Bungoma Referral Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
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Medical reports indicate that they are all in stable condition, with no serious injuries or fatalities reported from the incident.
The Judiciary has assured the public that all court officials and members of the public at the court are safe, emphasizing that there is no need for alarm following the accidental discharge.
County security teams have since visited the courts and are conducting a thorough assessment of the situation to determine the circumstances that led to the accidental firing of the weapon.
In another incident involving a DCI officer, a week ago, an officer was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing two motorcycle taxi operators in Makongeni, Thika West Sub-County.
Police Constable Eric G. N., attached to the DCI headquarters, was taken into custody following the fatal shooting of Kennedy Ojuma, 38, and Stephen Mwendwa Maweu, 39, during a confrontation near Makongeni Police Station.
The incident began after a minor traffic accident between the officer's black Audi and a motorcycle operated by Hezron Kariuki Ireri. According to police reports, Constable Eric appeared intoxicated and armed, resisting attempts by traffic officers to disarm him before firing his weapon and fatally wounding the two boda boda riders.
The officer was eventually overpowered, arrested, and disarmed, with his service firearm containing 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition recovered as evidence.
The shooting sparked outrage among residents and motorcycle taxi operators, who destroyed and set fire to the officer's vehicle in protest.
The suspect was held at Kiambu Police Station and was scheduled to appear in Kiambu Law Courts for custodial orders as investigations into the double murder continued.
