Chief Justice Martha Koome has recounted the last interaction she had with magistrate Monica Kivuti before she succumbed to the injuries she incurred in a shooting incident at the Makadara Law Courts.
Magistrate Kivuti was shot on Thursday, June 13 at the court precincts as she presided over an active court session.
She was rushed to Metropolitan Hospital in Buruburu for emergency medical attention before being transferred to Nairobi Hospital where she succumbed on Friday night.
On Friday at noon, CJ Koome said she went to check on her at the hospital.
She was accompanied by CJ Emeritus David Maraga, President of the Court of Appeal Daniel Musinga, JSC Commissioners Evelyn Olwande and Caroline Nzilani and Chief Registrar Winfridah Mokaya.
"We received positive feedback regarding her response to treatment from the dedicated medical personnel attending to her at the Nairobi Hospital," the CJ said in a statement on Saturday.
She said that at about midnight on Friday, she received the news that Magistrate Kivuti had succumbed to the extensive injuries sustained during the attack.
She commended the efforts of the medics at the two hospitals where Kivuti was attended.
"The Judiciary fraternity is deeply saddened by this tragedy and the painful loss of a patriotic Judicial officer who passed away in the course of active duty. We extend our hearts fully to the family, friends and relatives of Hon Kivuti," Koome said.
"We also wish the valiant officers who responded to the attack a quick full recovery," she added.
On Saturday, Koome chaired a special meeting of the Judiciary Leadership Team (JLT) to deliberate on issues arising from the magistrate's murder.
It was attended by the leadership of all five superior courts, the Magistracy, Kadhis Courts, Tribunals, the Magistrates and Judges Association and the Judicial Staff Association.
Koome said the meeting reached a number of resolutions.
Among them was that all courts fly the Judiciary flag at half-mast in honour of the fallen Makadara magistrate until she is laid to rest.
"The Judiciary flag will fly at half-mast from today (Saturday) across all court stations until Hon Kivuti is laid to rest," Koome said in a statement.
Further, she said the meeting also resolved that Tuesday, June 18, be declared a day of mourning for the entire Judiciary in solidarity with Kivuti’s family, friends, and colleagues as well as all Judges, Judicial officers and Staff who have been deeply affected by the tragedy.
CJ Koome said all court sittings for June 18 and matters listed across all courts and tribunals stand suspended.
"No Court will sit on this day. Matters that had been listed on Tuesday across all Courts and Tribunals will be accommodated in the Court dairies on a priority basis," she said.
The Chief Justice further extended by a week the closure of Makadara Law Courts until June 24 for reorganisation.
CJ Koome said all affected matters listed before Makadara Law Courts next week will be mentioned before Milimani Law Courts.