Magistrate schools Murkomen during Sonko’s case

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, found himself on the spot as he represented Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in court.

This was after Murkomen said that the governor was sick and had to be rushed to court from the hospital to avoid speculations that the governor was a flight risk.

Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti cut him short for a moment to lecture him on how the law works in such situations.

“Why did you force an accused, who is sick, out of hospital,” asked the magistrate.

According to the magistrate, Murkomen did not understand that it was possible for the ruling to be made in the absence of Governor Sonko.

Ogoti took the opportunity to lecture a humbled Murkomen on the situation for his future reference.

“Mr Murkomen, do you know why I am smiling? I know you do not practice in our courts, there is an authority from Machakos that each individual right of an accused is considered singularly even if you are charged together”

“Which means absence of an accused person cannot deter the rights of other accused persons, so your fear was unfounded” stated the magistrate.

Governor Sonko was arrested on Friday, December 6, 2019.