There was drama at the Kibera Law Courts on Thursday after a human rights activist disrupted proceedings by shouting during a session before Justice Diana Kavedza.
In a video seen by the Star, the man, identified as Mulinge Muteti, interrupted the court while an advocate was addressing the judge, yelling, “IPOA, stop protecting Lagat,” in apparent reference to Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
His outburst momentarily paused the proceedings, prompting court orderlies to move in and attempt to restrain him as he stood with his hands raised.
Justice Kavedza then directly addressed Muteti, asking if he wished to speak to the court.
He responded, “Yes, sure. Can I?”
The judge replied that he could only proceed if he first offered a proper apology for his disruptive conduct.
Muteti gave a brief “I apologise,” but the judge insisted on a more formal and sincere apology before allowing him to proceed.
She reprimanded him for failing to follow proper procedure, noting that he should have respectfully sought the court’s audience instead of shouting in open court.
“You should have waited for your time. When you go to the hospital and find doctors attending to patients, even if you’re in distress, you sit and wait,” she said.
The judge noted that the same principle applied in that instance, as an advocate was already addressing the court, adding that he should have waited for the lawyer to finish their submissions and then taken his turn to speak.
“Court is no different. You must respect the process.”
Upon complying with the directive, Muteti introduced himself as a human rights activist unaffiliated with any formal organisation.
He did not immediately elaborate on his allegations against DIG Lagat but continued to speak passionately, leading the judge to caution him further for continuing to disrupt the court.
Justice Kavedza warned him that any future misconduct in court would lead to his immediate detention.
Courtrooms, she said, are not places for demonstrations or shouting matches, but institutions guided by procedure and the rule of law.
