A magistrate in Kenya has died after being shot in court by a police officer on Thursday.

Monica Kivuti, a magistrate at the Makadara Law Courts in Kenya's capital Nairobi, was presiding over a hearing on Thursday when she was shot after rejecting a bail request for the police officer's wife.

The assailant was in turn shot and killed by other police officers.

In a post on X, Kenya's chief justice, Martha Koome, said Ms Kivuti had succumbed to her injuries.

"Monica Kivuti, Principal Magistrate, Makadara Law Courts, has lost the fight against the extensive injuries sustained during an open gun attack in court," Ms Koome wrote.

"The judiciary family stands in solidarity during this deeply traumatic time and calls for sensitivity and compassion as we share in grief."

Three officers were also injured during the attack, but Ms Koome did not comment on their condition.

"He entered inside the court through the magistrate's door and fired shots towards the magistrate, injuring her on the chest and left hip," the police report said.

"He was … fatally shot by a fellow officer who was in the court," it added. 

The police officer's wife had requested release on bail after pleading guilty to obtaining 2.9 million Kenyan shillings ($34,000) by false pretences, according to a police report.

Reuters