A sombre mood engulfed the Bungoma Law Courts on Monday morning after an elderly man collapsed and died within the court premises. The Judiciary confirmed the incident in an official statement, noting that the man appeared visibly unwell when he arrived at the court compound around 9 a.m.
According to Judiciary Spokesperson Paul Ndemo, the man was carried into the court compound on a motorcycle, an indication that his health condition was already deteriorating. Upon arrival, a customer care officer at the institution observed his frail state and immediately issued him with a Priority Card a special pass given to elderly persons, expectant mothers, people with disabilities, and those who are unwell.
The Priority Card is designed to ensure such individuals receive expedited services at court facilities, minimizing the time they spend waiting in queues.
After receiving the card, the man reportedly said he would wait for his advocate to arrive. He then went outside to rest on the grass, accompanied by his brothers. However, when a court official later went to check on him to provide updates, the man was found unresponsive.
“The staff member quickly raised the alarm, and police officers were called in. Upon arrival, they confirmed that the man had passed away,” said Judiciary Spokesperson Ndemo.
Police officers from Bungoma processed the scene before transferring the body to the Bungoma County Referral Hospital Morgue for preservation and further examination.
The Judiciary expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and assured the public of continued commitment to providing a supportive and responsive environment for all court users.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the need for improved medical response systems in public institutions to address health emergencies promptly.
