The Judiciary has announced that a man died at the Bungoma Law Courts on Tuesday, October 7, shortly after arriving for his case.
In a statement, the Judiciary expressed sadness over the incident, confirming that the man died within the court compound while waiting for his matter to be heard.
"It is with sadness that the Judiciary reports an incident at Bungoma Law Courts where a man, who had a matter before court, died while within the court precincts," the statement read
According to the Judiciary, the elderly man appeared to be in poor health when he arrived at the court.
"At around 9am the man, appearing elderly and visibly unwell, was carried into the court compound on a motorcycle. On account of his condition, a Customer Care Officer handed him a Priority Card.
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"This is a card given to elderly persons, expectant mothers, PWDs and those who are sick - giving them access to prioritized and expedited service so that they spend as little time as possible at the courts," the statement added.
The Judiciary added that the man’s case was scheduled before the Environment and Land Court, but he opted to wait for his lawyer before proceeding.
"It was established that his matter was before the Environment and Land Court. He then indicated that he would wait for his advocate to arrive. He proceeded outside to lie down on the grass, as he waited with his brothers," the statement further read.
Moments later, a court official who went to check on him discovered he was unresponsive.
"When a court official went to give him further updates, he found him unresponsive. Police were immediately called in and it was ascertained that the man had, unfortunately, died," the statement continued.
Following the discovery, the Judiciary said authorities processed the scene and moved the body to a nearby health facility.
"The police processed the scene and the body of the deceased was moved to Bungoma County Referral Hospital Morgue," the statement concluded.
This comes weeks after five people were rushed to Bungoma Referral Hospital after a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer's firearm accidentally discharged during court proceedings at Bungoma Law Courts.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 16, the Judiciary said 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.
