This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 16, 2019, Marianne Kitany, former Chief of Staff at Deputy President William Ruto's office, appeared in court for the hearing of her divorce against Senator Mithika Linturi, accompanied by an armed bodyguard.
Kitany's presence with an armed bodyguard raised concerns among Linturi's lawyers, who felt uncomfortable with the situation.
“Your honour, the petitioner is sitting close to an armed man and it makes us feel uncomfortable,” said lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu, representing Linturi.
Kitany's lawyer, Danstan Omari, countered that his client needed additional security due to the danger she faced.
“My client has her own security arrangements and we request the court to have her bodyguard allowed to be with her during the proceedings,” said Omari.
However, Linturi's lawyer requested Chief Magistrate Peter Gesora to order Kitany's bodyguard to surrender his firearm to the court's security department.
Magistrate Gesora ruled that there were sufficient security officers in the courtroom and ordered the bodyguard to surrender his firearm.
The court hearing was part of the re-examination of Jackson Micheni, a priest who had testified about a Christian marriage between Linturi and his wife, Mercy Kaimenyi, on April 8, 2000.
