The courtroom became the scene of a heated confrontation on Friday, September 20, as Attorney General Dorcas Oduor clashed with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) lawyer Nelson Havi during a pivotal case involving Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli.
This case has attracted significant public interest due to Masengeli’s recent contempt of court charge, which resulted in a six-month jail sentence handed down by Justice Lawrence Mugambi.
The proceedings focus on the controversial disappearance of three men from Kitengela—Jamil Longton (42), his brother Aslam Longton (36), and activist Bob Njagi.
While the missing individuals have since returned, the circumstances of their disappearance remain unclear, intensifying the scrutiny surrounding Masengeli’s actions and the police’s involvement.
Tensions flared in the courtroom when Attorney General Oduor confronted Havi about his behavior during the session.
“You must respect people!” she asserted, responding to Havi’s attempts to dominate the proceedings.
This sparked a heated verbal exchange that disrupted the court for several minutes.
Havi retorted, “Respect is earned,” escalating the confrontation.
The situation intensified further when Havi demanded that Oduor sit down, shouting, “Sit down!” This prompted a visible tension in the courtroom, with both parties standing their ground.
Oduor maintained her stance, underscoring the necessity of mutual respect in legal proceedings.
“We are all adults. Why don’t you go out and listen to the press? It is wrong to behave like that,” she argued, clearly agitated.
This incident underscores the mounting pressures and emotional stakes involved in a case that has captivated the public and raised questions about police accountability in Kenya.
As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes remain on the courtroom, eager to see how this high-profile case unfolds.
