A senior Kenyan police officer on Thursday opened fire on Makadara Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti, who denied his wife bail.

Samson Kipchirchir Kipruto, an officer at a police station in Londiani in western Kenya, shot at Mrs Kivuti shortly after her ruling on Thursday.

A statement by the Kenyan Judiciary confirmed the shooting incident at the Makadara Law Courts on Thursday, adding that the magistrate shot, Mrs Kivuti, is recuperating in the hospital.

“During an open court session earlier today, the magistrate cancelled the bond for an accused person who had jumped bond and had failed to offer satisfactory explanations for jumping bond. Immediately this decision was pronounced, a person shot at the magistrate and injured her on the hip,” the statement said.

It added, “Preliminary reports indicate that the shooter is a Police Officer who is married to the suspect whose bond was cancelled.”

Other policemen on the premises shot Mr Kipruto dead after he opened fire on the magistrate.

Thursday’s court shooting has sparked reactions among Kenyans on social media, with some criticising the police, while others berate the judiciary for corruption.

An X user, @mk_daudi30, said, “That’s what Normal Kenyans undergo in the hands of police.”

Also, @NevilNiga tweeted, “You collect bribes all the time from politicians to deliver a judgement that favours them. May the OCS rest well and the magistrate succumbs.”

Another user, @FikraHuru, said, “That should show you how frustrated the public are with your justice for sale system. Angemua tu!”