The Kenyan government has asked for more time to recruit a new defence team in the ongoing public hearing of the maritime row with Somalia.
The government tendered an application to the International Court of Justice on Tuesday as it seeks to get justice over the matter.
Confirming the application for the postponement, Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki said that his office has formally written to the United Nations Court based at The Hague in the Netherlands over the issue.
The AG said that the hiring of the new lawyers to take over the case is expected to take some time hence the need for the suspension of the same.
The AG’s office, however, refused to comment on the plans of hiring of the new lawyers.
The two sides were expected to present their findings to a 15-bench court led by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf before the postponement was presented.
The case has been scheduled for hearing next week on September 9 through 13, after which the 15-bench court led by Somali judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf will deliver a verdict by September 19.
“Due to exceptional circumstances, occasioned by the need to recruit a new defence team, Kenya has sought to have the matter postponed,” read part of the request, as quoted by Daily Nation.
The hearing of the case is likely to be rescheduled if the court grants Kenyan its wish in the matter.