The High Court has directed the Attorney General to file responses within 14 days in a case where Ugandan opposition leader Col (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye has sued Kenya over his deportation.
When the matter came up for compliance, lawyer Marwa, appearing for the AG, admitted that no responses had been filed despite service. He explained that the respondents were spread across different state offices and that letters seeking input for a joint response had gone unanswered. Marwa requested an additional 21 days to prepare and file the documents.
The application, however, was strongly opposed by Senior Counsel Martha Karua, representing Besigye. She argued that the State had already enjoyed undue delay, pointing out that the respondents were served on July 28 but had failed to enter appearance by September 29 two months later.
“If you are inclined to grant them time, the State office must be cautioned. How do they take two months without responding?” Karua told the court. She emphasized the cross-border weight of the matter, noting that her colleagues had travelled from Uganda because the deportation case carried direct implications on Besigye’s political struggles and touched on regional security.
In his ruling, Justice Lawrence Mugambi declined to grant the 21 days sought, observing that the State had already had sufficient time. He instead gave the AG and other respondents 14 days to file their responses.
The case has attracted significant attention, with Besigye, a long-time opposition figure in Uganda, seeking to challenge Kenya’s decision to deport him. Legal observers note that the proceedings carry both political and security ramifications for the region.
