Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa undergoes mental test pending arraignment

Malindi Member of Parliament Aisha Jumwa [right] and her bodyguard Geoffrey Otieno listen to their case at the  Mombasa Law Court on October 19, 2020. They are charged with the murder of Ngumbao Jola during Ganda ward by-election in Malindi. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Detained Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa today undertook a psychiatric test before her expected arraignment in court tomorrow.

On Wednesday, County Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi confirmed that the MP was taken for a psychiatric test at Coast General Hospital (CGH ) as directed by the High court.

"The honourable MP was taken for psychiatric evaluation at the Coast General Hospital this morning for psychiatrist test at CGH before her arraignment tomorrow," said Nthumbi.

Sources from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation(DCI) said Jumwa and her bodyguard were whisked away for a mental checkup around 12:00 and returned to their cells before 1:30 PM.

On Monday Justice Njoki Mwangi ordered mental tests for Jumwa and her co-defendant Geoffrey Otieno Okuto pending their plea to murder charges this morning.

It is not the first time that Jumwa has been incarcerated in a police cell. In June 2016 she spent four days in Pangani Police cells alongside other five MPs over incitement and hate speech.

Port Police Station is one of the preferred police cells that high profile persons always apply to be detained pending bail determination by the courts in Mombasa.

The MP has been detained at Port Police Station facing murder charges since Monday. Sources at the police station indicate she has been provided with a two-inch mattress, a pillow and a mosquito net in her own cell that measures approximately 10 by 10 feet.

Officials who have met her since Monday describe her as subdued and cooperative with prison authorities.

Her accused Geoffrey Otieno Okuto also has similar amenities in his own cells.

Their mattresses are, however, sprawled on the floor as they have not been supplied with beds.

Jumwa, a vocal supporter of DP William Ruto was visited on Tuesday by over ten allied legislators led by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika. Others in the entourage were Emurua Dikkir MP Johana Ngeno, Garissa Women Representative, Lunga Lunga MP Khatibu Mwashetani, Chris Wamalwa Kimilili MP.

Today, the two MPs Andrew Mwadime Mwatate MP, and another nominated Jubilee David Sankok visited Jumwa shortly after she came back from the hospital. 

Jumwa has also received family guests on a daily basis who supply her with fresh clothes and personal effects like toiletries.

Her lawyer Jared Magolo said that the MP was well and holding up fine.

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