Lawyer Elisha Ongoya has come out strongly after a tense moment unfolded in court involving a Kericho Member of County Assembly who had appeared as a witness.
The incident, which caused a brief disruption in the proceedings, occurred when the MCA became visibly emotional during cross-examination.
This sudden reaction attracted attention inside the courtroom and prompted the presiding officer to step in and restore calm before the session could continue.
Speaking after the incident, Ongoya made it clear that he has always conducted himself professionally and treated all witnesses with courtesy.
He expressed his disappointment at the way he was addressed during the exchange, saying that respect must be upheld at all times.
According to him, he has consistently been polite in his line of questioning and expects the same level of respect in return.
“I have been very polite to all witnesses. They have no right to be rude to me. I deserve respect,” he said firmly, highlighting the importance of mutual dignity in a court setting.
The lawyer further explained that court sessions are naturally tense because they deal with matters of truth and justice, and emotions may sometimes run high.
However, he noted that this should never be an excuse for rudeness or hostility.
He clarified that cross-examination is a vital part of the legal process, designed to test the credibility of a witness and not to demean or attack them personally.
In his view, every participant in a trial, whether lawyer or witness, should approach the process with patience and composure.
Observers at the session noted that the MCA seemed unsettled by the tough questions presented by Ongoya, which might have led to the emotional outburst.
Despite this, the proceedings eventually continued after order was restored, showing that the court maintained its focus on the matter at hand.
Ongoya emphasized that lawyers, as officers of the court, have an obligation to remain respectful and ethical in how they conduct themselves.
At the same time, he insisted that witnesses also share the responsibility of ensuring decorum is preserved.
He reminded everyone that a courtroom is not a place for personal quarrels but rather a forum for fairness, truth, and justice.
He underscored that respect is the foundation of an effective judicial process and that all parties must honor this principle if the system is to serve its purpose.
The incident served as a reminder of the delicate balance required in legal proceedings, where emotions must be managed and professionalism upheld by everyone present.
