Magistrate: I took leave due to trauma after attack

Resident magistrate Eunice Kelly on November 23, 2016 shows Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu where she was stabbed by a convict. She said the event has traumatised her. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The magistrate, who was stabbed in the arm by Michael Kuhora Njeri, was rescued by a court orderly.
  • Kuhora has denied both the assault and attempted murder charges.

A magistrate on Monday told a Nakuru court that she had to take leave from work when she suffered psychological trauma after she was attacked by a convict last year.
Resident magistrate Eunice Kelly said she was extremely shocked by the unexpected incident that took place in the courtroom.

TRAUMA

She said this was her first time to go through an experience where a suspect decides to assault a magistrate performing his/her mandate.

“I was seriously affected by the experience, which prompted me to take 10 days leave due to the physical and psychological trauma it had caused,” Ms Kelly said.

The magistrate, who was stabbed in the arm by Michael Kuhora Njeri, was rescued by a court orderly.

She had sentenced Kuhora to three years imprisonment for assaulting Ms Edith Adhiambo, his neighbour, in Lakeview Estate.

In the court attack, Adhiambo was stabbed in the neck.

CHARGES
In the ongoing case, Kuhora is being accused of assaulting magistrate Kelly; Ms Adhiambo, for the second time; and police constable Regina Wanjiru at the Nakuru Law Courts on November 22, 2016.

Kuhora has also been charged with attempted murder.

He has denied both the assault and attempted murder charges.

Ms Kelly said Mr Kuhora made the attacks soon after she read the sentence.

Appearing before chief magistrate Josephat Kalo, Ms Kelly presented exhibits and evidence of medical examinations showing that she was seriously attacked.