Emotions ran high at the Supreme Court of Kenya on Sunday during the delivery of rulings on applications submitted after the pre-trial hearing of the presidential election petition.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's lawyer Ahmednasir Abdulahi was visibly angry and engaged in a war of words attacking Raila Odinga's representative, Senator James Orengo.
Mr Abdulahi was angered after the court limited the time allocated to him to file a response to new evidence that the court had just ruled to allow as part of the Opposition's court records.
"Can we be given leave to respond to those documents by tomorrow (Monday) 4 pm," Ahmednasir requested.
Senator Orengo objected to the plea, stating that his team would not have a chance to reply to the respondents as the hearing will have already taken place on Monday morning.
"It's your making," Ahmednasir muttered under his breath before storming off to his seat.
Chief Justice David Maraga interjected, reminding the President's lawyer of the conduct expected in the court.
"No! No! No! Mr Ahmednasir. Don't sit down before I allow you to. They will need to respond to what you will have stated. You are many so burn the midnight oil and file the affidavit by 8.30 am tomorrow," CJ Maraga directed.
Ahmednasir went on to negotiate for more time stating that the CJ's directive was not possible.
"Can we make it by midday? To be fair this is not our fault, it is their fault! These are documents that we have never been served," the lawyer stated, raising his voice.
The CJ sympathised with Ahmednasir's plea, citing that everyone was under pressure and they agreed to have the affidavits filed by 10.30 am the following day.
Here is a video of the exchange courtesy of KTNNews.
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