Mathe Wa Ngara Asks Court To Release Her On Bail Over Unstable Medical Condition

• Nancy Kigunzu, aka Mathe wa Ngara, collapsed during her bail hearing and is now pleading for her release on medical grounds
• Mathe wa Ngara emphasised her need for ongoing medical care and worries about her condition worsening behind bars
• Her bail request encountered flight risk challenges and interfering with witnesses, among others

Nairobi - Nancy Kigunzu, also known as Mathe wa Ngara, has asked the JKIA Law Court to grant her a bail release because she is ill.

Kigunzu, who collapsed on Monday, August 28, during the hearing of her bail application, told the court that her medical condition requires ongoing monitoring and medication and that she is concerned that if she is denied bail, it will worsen.

Is Mathe wa Ngara a flight risk?

When she appeared before Magistrate Njeri Thuku, Kigunzu denied claims that she posed a flight risk and would skip court appearances.

Although she was detained in the Nairobi Central Business District, Kigunzu claimed, through her attorney, Danstan Omari, that her children were detained in a residential area. However, the police were aware of her residence.

She further denied assertions that she would interfere with the case's witnesses by pointing out that they all were police officers and that she lacked the authority to do so.

Teresia Wanjiru, Kigunzu's co-accused, and the other two were present in court and requested bail.

Presence of incriminating evidence

The accused claim, through their attorneys, that the prosecution has not proven compelling evidence to support keeping them in custody.

To avoid tainting society, the prosecution had pleaded with the court to refrain from releasing the four on bail.

"The accused persons be isolated from society so they do not continue poisoning the society in which they live in," the affidavit by the prosecution read in part.

According to a story published by Citizen TV, investigating officer Stephen Chesire claimed that if the accused are freed, they will flee the scene and that their current residence is unknown.

He also stated that they pose a flight risk.

The prosecution also claims that they have plans to speak with key witnesses, whose interviews and recorded statements may result in additional arrests of the conspirators.

"Should the respondents be released before the investigations are complete, there is likelihood that they will interfere with the investigations and compilation of evidence," the investigating officer said.

According to the prosecution, there is substantial evidence against the accused.

Mathe wa Ngara collapses in court

On Monday, August 28, a Nairobi magistrate was forced to postpone the bail hearing of the suspected city drug peddler after she collapsed in court.

After being held in custody for a week, Nancy Kigunzu appeared at the JKIA courts on Monday, August 28, for her bail hearing.

However, a video shared by Citizen TV showed Kigunzu was overwhelmed by emotions during the court proceedings, and she collapsed, forcing the magistrate to postpone the hearing.