Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday caused a light moment after a magistrate offered to school him on how the Kenyan courts operate.
Nairobi Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti, who was presiding a case where Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is facing charges of corruption, interrupted Murkomen as he was making arguments on behalf of the Governor’s legal team.
Murkomen had attempted the decision to bring Sonko to court in an ambulance despite the fact that he was ailing.
However, Ogoti appeared amused as Murkomen was making his justification and interrupted to explain that he understood Murkomen was new to the Kenyan courts and offered a legal explanation.
“Senator, do you know why I'm smiling? It's because you don't practice in these courts.
“There was an order that was given in Machakos court that any accused person appears in court singularly. Keep that order it will help you one day if you wish to practice in these courts," Ogoti said while helping out the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator.
The magistrate said it was unnecessary for Sonko’s lawyers to have their client present in court while he was feeling unwell.
“The absence of an accused person cannot deter the rights of the accused persons, so your fear was unfounded. I can tell you from where I sit. You didn't have to disturb a sick person from the hospital. I still would have gone ahead and given directions," the magistrate added.