BUNGOMA, Kenya (Sept. 16, 2025)
Five people were injured Tuesday when a firearm carried by a law-enforcement officer discharged inside the Bungoma Law Courts.
The incident occurred during a morning session, briefly disrupting proceedings. Two officers and three civilians were taken to Bungoma County Referral Hospital, where officials said they were in stable condition.
Security teams have opened investigations into the circumstances of the discharge and whether safety procedures were followed.
Similar incidents have unsettled Kenyan courts in the past.
In 2024, a Nairobi magistrate and several others were injured after a police officer opened fire in court following a ruling.
Earlier cases in Nairobi and Machakos also saw firearms brought into courtrooms, sparking panic and raising questions about security.
Court buildings in Kenya are typically manned by police officers and prison warders, who escort suspects and secure courtrooms.
Firearms are generally permitted for officers on duty but strict handling rules apply, including ensuring weapons are not cocked or mishandled in crowded spaces.
Security checks at court entrances usually apply to civilians, while officers are exempt — a gap that critics say makes accidental or intentional misuse of firearms harder to prevent.
Judiciary officials said court business at Bungoma was temporarily suspended but would resume once safety assessments were complete.
They indicated the incident may prompt a review of how armed officers are managed inside courtrooms with the aim of preventing both deliberate attacks and accidental discharges.
