Five people have been left injured after a firearm attached to a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer discharged a bullet at the Bungoma Law Courts.
The Judiciary, in a statement on Tuesday, September 16, said that the morning incident left five people injured, including the DCI officer, a Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) officer, and three civilians. The incident occurred at approximately 10:50 am during the hearing of a criminal matter in the High Court.
According to the Judiciary Spokesperson Paul Ndemo, the firearm of the DCI officer accidentally discharged, injuring the officer himself along with four others.
All the injured individuals were immediately rushed to Bungoma Referral Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. The Judiciary has confirmed that all five are in stable condition and that no fatalities or serious injuries were reported.
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Court operations have since resumed, with Ndemo assuring the public that all court officials and members of the public within the premises are safe.
“There is therefore no need for alarm,” he said, adding that the county security team has already visited the court and is assessing the situation.
The Judiciary has pledged to keep the public informed as investigations into the incident continue.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations issues statement on firearm discharge at the Bungoma Law Courts
DCI in a statement later confirmed the incident, identifying the officer involved as Police constable Cornellious Murey, who accidentally discharged his Ceska pistol. The bullet ricocheted, injuring the officer himself, a prison warder (chin injury), two male civilians, and one female civilian.
“All victims were promptly taken to a medical facility and are in fair condition,” the DCI said, adding that it is working with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Judiciary to investigate the incident.
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The agency assured that appropriate measures would be taken in line with Service Standing Orders to ensure accountability and address any procedural lapses.
The Judiciary also noted that court officials and members of the public remain safe, and the County security team has assessed the situation.
This incident follows another shooting involving a DCI officer just a week earlier in Makongeni, Thika West Sub-County, where two motorcycle taxi operators were fatally shot during a confrontation.
DCI officer involved in fatal shooting
A Police constable reportedly attached to the DCI headquarters was arrested in connection with the deaths of Kennedy Ojuma (38) and Stephen Mwendwa Maweu (39). The shooting occurred following a minor traffic incident between the officer’s black Audi and a motorcycle ridden by Hezron Kariuki Ireri near Makongeni Police Station.
Witness accounts and police reports suggest the officer was armed and appeared to be under the influence. Attempts by traffic officers to disarm him escalated into a deadly confrontation, during which he allegedly opened fire, killing the two boda boda riders.
The officer was eventually subdued, disarmed, and taken into custody. His service weapon, containing 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition, was recovered as part of ongoing investigations.
In addition, the shooting sparked widespread anger among residents and fellow motorcycle taxi operators, who responded by setting the officer’s vehicle ablaze.
The constable was detained at Kiambu Police Station and was scheduled to appear before the Kiambu Law Courts as investigations into the double homicide progressed.
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