Aish! Jumwa refused to bathe with salty water in police cell

 

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa (right) and her bodyguard, Geoffrey Okuta Otieno arrive at Mombasa law Court. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa declined to take a bath with salty water at the Port Police Station and demanded she be supplied with fresh water.

Jumwa was locked in the cell at the police station for a week. Her bodyguard Geoffrey Otieno Okuto was also in custody at the same police station. The two were charged with the murder of Ngumbao Jola in 2019 in the run-up to the Ganda ward representative by-elections.

The legislator was also ordered by the court to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and finally agreed to shower with the salty water before she was presented at the Coast General Hospital for the psychiatric evaluation.

This is not the first time Jumwa was being held in police custody.

In June 2016, she spent four days in the cells at the Pangani Police Station alongside five other MPs over incitement and hate speech charges.

The Port Police Station is often used to hold high-profile individuals.

Sources at the police station revealed that she was provided with a two-inch mattress, a pillow and mosquito net in her own cell.

Officials who met her describe her as “subdued and cooperative with prison authorities”.

Her co-accused Okuto also enjoyed similar amenities in his own cell.

The mattresses are spread on the floor as beds are not provided at the police station.

Jumwa, a vocal supporter of DP William Ruto was visited by more than 10 legislators led by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika.

Others in the entourage were Emurua Dikkir MP Johana Ng’eno, Garissa Woman Representative, Lunga Lunga MP Khatibu Mwashetani and Kimilili MP, Chris Wamalwa Andrew Mwadime, Mwatate MP, and a nominated Jubilee senator David Sankok also visited Jumwa after her psychiatric evaluation. 

Her lawyer Jared Magolo said that the MP was doing well.

“She is well, she is a strong lady,” said Magolo.

Jumwa walked to freedom after 11 days in custody at Port Police after paying a cash bail of Sh5.5 million for herself and Okuto.

Jumwa blamed her woes and prosecution on her political persuasion and support for Deputy President William Ruto.

“It is feared that the first applicant Geoffrey Otieno Okuto (co-accused) and I are only being prosecuted and persecuted in an attempt to settle political scores because of our well-known political stand and our proclaimed or preferred presidential candidate come the year 2022. It is evident that this trial is not about bringing to book the murderers of the late Jola,” claimed Jumwa in her sworn affidavit.