Attorney General Dorcas Oduor and lawyers from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) clashed during Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli's hearing on Friday, September 20.
According to a video from the courtroom, Oduor could be seen engaging in a heated exchange with LSK lawyers including Nelson Havi and Dan Maanzo.
In the video, a lawyer representing LSK could be heard yelling at Oduor to sit down prompting her to stand and charge at the LSK lawyers in fury.
"You must respect people, why the drama... Why don't you go out and listen to the press? This is so wrong," a visibly upset Oduor is heard telling the LSK lawyers.
The two parties continued exchanging words shortly before South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro stepped in to quell the confrontation.
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It is understood that Oduor is representing Masengeli.
Masengeli appeared in court on Friday, September 20 accompanied by his lawyers and other police officials.
The police boss was sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court after failing to respond to seven court summons regarding the disappearance of three individuals allegedly abducted by police officers during protests.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued the ruling on September 13, 2024, stating that Masengeli could avoid imprisonment by appearing in court within seven days to address the issues he had neglected.
"The court finds it desirable to impose this sentence as a coercive order as opposed to a punitive order. In that regard, Masengeli may avoid serving this sentence and in that regard, the court shall suspend this sentence for seven days only. The Acting police IG may redeem himself and comply by availing himself before this court in person to answer to issues he has been avoiding. In default, the sentence shall automatically become effective," ruled the judge.
On September 20, 2024, Masengeli submitted an affidavit to the High Court, apologizing for his previous absences and acknowledging his contempt of court.
In the affidavit, he expressed remorse for not attending court hearings related to the disappearance of three individuals, citing operational challenges in security operations as the reason for his absence.
"I humbly apologize to this Honourable Court for breaking orders and undertaking to comply in the future. The non-attendance in court, however, was not intentional but rather due to operational challenges," he said in the affidavit.
