Milimani Law Courts turned into an unexpected spectacle this morning as activist and renowned legislator Okiya Omtatah, alongside 34 other arrested individuals, orchestrated an unorthodox courtroom rebellion that ground proceedings to a halt.
TV 47 Kenya reports that the incident unfolded during their arraignment, following their dramatic arrest during nationwide protests calling for the release of several individuals allegedly abducted by police forces.
Draped in determination and defiance, Omtatah and his co-accused turned the courtroom docks into an impromptu stage for protest.
A video that has since gone viral captures the group breaking into Kenya’s national anthem with unwavering fervor.
What started as a solemn performance quickly escalated into an electrifying medley of patriotic songs, leaving magistrates, lawyers, and clerks frozen in astonishment.
The accused choristers transitioned seamlessly into the liberation anthem “Wimbo Wa Historia,” their voices rising in crescendo as they demanded justice for the alleged abductees.
Courtroom orderlies scrambled to restore decorum, but the impromptu concert persisted, punctuated by rhythmic claps, foot stomps, and even a spirited ululation from one of Omtatah’s co-accused.
The normally stoic Milimani courtroom was engulfed in chaos as legal proceedings came to a standstill. A visibly flustered magistrate struggled to regain control, repeatedly striking the gavel to no avail.
“This is a court of law, not a concert hall,” she exclaimed, but the determined group, undeterred, only grew louder, harmonizing their calls for justice.
Outside the courtroom, hundreds of supporters cheered, their voices echoing through the court corridors in solidarity with the detainees.
The group’s message was unmissable: justice must be served for the abductees allegedly taken in the dead of night.
By the time security officers intervened to contain the uproar, the damage had been done.
Proceedings for the day were adjourned indefinitely, as legal experts scrambled to figure out how to proceed with a case derailed by one of the most melodious disruptions in Kenya’s judicial history.
As the video continues to dominate headlines, Omtatah and his 34 companions have become a symbol of audacious defiance, their courtroom anthem reverberating across a nation grappling with the weight of justice and freedom.
By Nairobi