Dr Boni Khalwale to the rescue as MP Kimani Ngunjiri faints in crowded court

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri is helped by Kakamega Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale when he became ill in the dock. PHOTO: GEORGE NJUNGE

NAIROBI: Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri yesterday fainted in court as incitement charges were read to him and his seven co-accused.

It was one of Jubilee's fiercest critics, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who rushed and unbuttoned the MP's shirt and gave him preliminary first aid after which he gained consciousness.

The court's attention shifted to where Ngunjiri was sitting after he was assisted by the orderlies out of the courthouse, with Khalwale, a medical doctor, paying close attention.

The MP was not taken to hospital, even as an ambulance from Kenyatta National Hospital arrived a few minutes later.

Paramedics from KNH arrived at the court's basement cells shortly afterwards and continued to administer first aid until Ngunjiri was pronounced out of danger. He later returned to the court to plead to the charges.

Ngunjiri was charged with incitement and ethnic contempt. He denied calling for the eviction of members of a certain community from the cosmopolitan Nakuru county.

After spending four days in custody at Pangani police station, it was a back in the dock for the eight legislators who were charged with incitement to violence.

The legislators were Ngunjiri, Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi) and Florence Mutua (Busia).

The lawmakers were taken to the Milimani law courts at 6am. Ngunjiri from the onset appeared tired, sleepy and uncomfortable, often leaning on the table.

Shortly before the charges were read, he started sweating profusely, prompting one of his lawyers to ask Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo to allow his client to be rushed to hospital.

As the court proceedings continued, Ngunjiri could be seen coughing from time to time as he conversed with his colleagues. He, however, remained calm as he consulted with his lawyers.

A few minutes later, Ngunjiri was seen gasping for breath at the dock before he fainted.