Five Injured After Accidental Gun Discharge at Bungoma Law Courts

Bungoma, Kenya — 2025-09-16 16:10 EAT. Court proceedings at the Bungoma Law Courts were briefly disrupted after a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer’s firearm accidentally discharged, injuring five people, including security officers and members of the public.

The Latest

• Victims: The DCI officer, a Kenya Prisons guard, and three civilians sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

• Response: All five were rushed to Bungoma Referral Hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.

• Court operations: Resumed shortly after the incident once the area was secured.

Official Statements

• Judiciary spokesperson Paul Ndemo: Confirmed injuries were minor and said “there is no cause for alarm”, assuring the public that safety measures remain a priority.

• Security agencies: Launched an investigation into the cause of the accidental discharge and potential breaches of firearm protocols.

Context and Safety Concerns

• Witnesses reported panic and confusion as the weapon discharged while suspects were being escorted.

• Accidental firearm discharges in court premises are described as extremely rare, prompting renewed calls for strict adherence to weapon safety regulations.

Implications

• Public safety: Incident highlights need for regular firearm safety drills in high-risk public facilities.

• Policy review: May trigger review of courtroom security protocols nationwide.

• Training focus: Possible reforms on firearm handling procedures for law enforcement officers in sensitive environments.

What to Watch

• Findings from the official investigation into the incident.

• Potential disciplinary action or retraining of officers involved.

• Judiciary’s plans to strengthen court security measures.