This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
On December 11, 2019, Counsel Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans to sue Magistrate Douglas Ogoti for embarrassing him in court.
The incident occurred during a bail application case, where Magistrate Ogoti made demeaning comments against Counsel Murkomen.
According to Counsel Murkomen, Magistrate Ogoti questioned him on why they had forced Governor Sonko out of hospital, despite claiming he was critically ill.
As Counsel Murkomen fumbled with words to explain his point, Magistrate Ogoti smiled and the court nearly burst into laughter.
Magistrate Ogoti then replied, 'I am smiling because I know you do not practise in our courts and are not familiar with authority.'
Counsel Murkomen has since claimed that he is being haunted by the moment in court and has lost his appetite.
He stated, 'That embarrassing moment keeps flashing back at me and I must confess that it eats me up. I cannot even eat.'
Counsel Murkomen has vowed to take up the matter in court to ensure that lawyers' dignity is respected by judges and magistrates.
