Ongoro’s husband denies assault by MP

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi Metropolitan Assistant minister Elizabeth Ongoro’s husband has denied reports that his wife assaulted him leading to his hospitalisation.

Instead, Mr Ferdinand Masha Kenga said he suffered convulsions and his wife rushed him to Nairobi Hospital where he has been since Friday night.

"I fell in the house and lost consciousness. My wife then brought me to hospital. I have been treated and now I am okay, ready to be discharged," said Masha.

Ferdinand Masha Kenga, Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro’s husband addressing the Press yesterday from his bed at Nairobi Hospital on Monday. Photo: Govedi Asutsa/Standard

He said his doctor, Dr Elly Ogutu, had informed him he suffered convulsions, a medical condition where body muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in uncontrolled shaking of the body.

"You can call Dr Ogutu to confirm this. I am not lying because I love my wife and she loves me. I never suffered any injury out of an assault," he said.

Similar disorder

He said he also suffered a similar disorder when he was seven years old and was treated and discharged from hospital. He said the condition is spontaneous and that several other tests had been run on him that confirmed he was fit to be discharged.

Masha, who addressed the Press from his hospital bed, blamed politics for the allegations that he was a victim of domestic violence.

To show he was well, he demonstrated to journalists that his head was not swollen as claimed. He defended the absence of his wife of 16 years at the Press briefing, saying she was busy in her political duties.

"You know she is a busy politician. The day I was admitted she was here, then the following day and yesterday but she has not come today. She knows I am well and will be discharged," he said.

Masha was reacting to reports that he was admitted to the hospital unconscious after a domestic brawl that left him with head injuries.

He said they have three children and that even if the MP wronged him, he would forgive her.

"Domestic problems are normal in any marriage and I will forgive her if she wronged me as she would do if I erred," he said.