Immediately Nakuru resident magistrate Eunice Kelli pronounced a three-year sentence against Michael Kuhora Njeru, who was accused of assault, the convict sprint out of the dock and pounced on Edith Adhiambo, the complainant who was in the front bench of the courtroom.
Those in attendance said Njeru whipped out a screwdriver from his coat and attacked the complainant severally in the neck and left thigh.
With blood gushing from her wounds, she took cover behind the magistrate, Njeru was in hot pursuit and directed his anger at the magistrate.
A female court officer who went to the rescue of the magistrate and the complainant was not spared as she also sustained a cut in her index finger.
Magistrate Kelli suffered a deep cut in the upper right hand and another in the back. the two were rushed to a hospital.
Senior police officers led by County Commandant Hassan Barua rushed to the scene and picked up the suspect who was locked up at Central Police station.
Talking to the media witnesses told The Standard that the magistrate had asked the suspect if he had anything to say before a ruling was made.
"He refused the offer and told the magistrate to go ahead and pass the sentence as she deemed fit," said Gaudencia Kedogo.
Lawyers and court clerks asked the Judiciary and the police to arm court orderlies.
"If the suspect was armed with a gun, many people would have been killed. It is high time the government considers arming the orderlies," said Hilary Sogoyo, a prosecutor.
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