Judiciary condemns police gunfire at Ruiru court during Kawanjiru re-arrest
The Judiciary Service Commission has strongly condemned the conduct of police officers who fired gunshots during the re-arrest of Peter Kinyanjui alias Kawanjiru at the Ruiru Law Courts on Friday, 4 July 2025, describing the incident as “excessive” and “unjustified.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 5, 2025, by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Saturday, the Judiciary registered its “deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of the excessive use of force during the operation, which was led by a team of anti-terror officers. Kawanjiru, an ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, had just been released on bond before being re-apprehended.
“The facts indicate that the accused had been released on bond following a court ruling, when shortly thereafter, a team of police officers stormed the court premises to re-arrest the accused. During this action, gunfire was discharged within the court precincts, despite the absence of any security threat or civil disorder,” the JSC said.
Kawanjiru had been arrested in connection with the June 25 protests, particularly the torching of the Kiambu Law Courts. His dramatic re-arrest outside the Ruiru courtroom sparked alarm among judicial officers and members of the public present during the incident.
“While the Commission recognises and respects the constitutional mandate of the police to enforce the law and apprehend suspects, the use of firearms in a court environment is excessive, unjustified, and an affront to the authority and dignity of the Judiciary,” read the statement signed by Hon. Winfridah B. Mokaya, CBS, Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission.
Emphasising the role of courts as “sacred spaces of constitutional adjudication,” the JSC urged all actors in the justice sector to uphold the integrity and sanctity of judicial institutions.
“We therefore urge all actors within the justice sector to refrain from acts which erode confidence in the institutions charged with the administration of justice. The sanctity of the court must be preserved at all costs,” the statement concluded.
The incident has reignited public debate over the growing tension between law enforcement agencies and the Judiciary, especially in politically sensitive cases.
