Yusuf Masudi, a witness in former Governor Jack Ranguma's case against his successor Anyang Nyong'o, used the phrase while on the witness stand. Advocate Julie Soweto had asked him why he did not include some of the information he was giving the court in his affidavit.
"I need not put everything I hear, my dear," he said.
Judge David Majanja then interjected and asked him to apologise. "I apologise," the witness said, but asked if he knew why he apologised, he replied;" No. You just told me to apologise." The judge ordered the officers of the court to take Masudi away so he would think about what he had said.
Justice Majanja made it clear that such utterances are unacceptable and sexist so they cannot be allowed in court. "There is language he uses in his bedroom and in court. Please, this a new Kenya where we respect women by not referring to them as 'dear' but by their titles and full names," he said as another witness stepped forward. Masudi apologised again when he returned to the stand. "I have realised I used words not accepted in court. I do apologise for using such words," he said before the advocate carried on with his cross-examination.



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