Masengeli's hearing: Attorney General, LSK lawyers clash in court

LSK lawyers led by former President Nelson Havi at the Milimani Law Courts. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

A tense exchange unfolded at the Milimani Law Courts as Attorney General Dorcas Oduor clashed with lawyers from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) during a hearing involving Deputy Inspector General of Police-Administration, Gilbert Masengeli.

In a video seen by The Standard, former LSK President Nelson Havi is heard addressing Oduor, who is representing Masengeli.

"Sit down, respect the courts," Havi said.

Visibly agitated, Oduor stood up, firing back at Havi, urging him also to show respect.

"We are all adults. Why don't you step outside and listen to the press? Everyone deserves justice. Why do they [lawyers] behave like this?" she posed.

Attorney General Dorcas Odour appears in court, representing Deputy Police IG-AP, Gilbert Masengeli. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Lawyer and National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro intervened, seemingly calming Oduor and guiding her back to her seat.

Earlier, tensions flared when a clerk representing lawyer Charles Mugane attempted to serve Masengeli with a petition challenging his fitness for public office.

The court has since resumed its proceedings and order restored.

Masengeli arrived in court at 10 am on Friday, accompanied by a battery of lawyers, in an attempt to reverse his six-month sentencing for disobeying court orders in the disappearance of three Kitengela men. 

He was last week sentenced to six months in prison for contempt, to which he argued he was attending to ‘official duties.’

This is a developing story and will be updated.