Nairobi County Speaker Defends Self, Says Incident Was Blown Out Of Context: "I Respect Women"

• Speaker Ken Ng'ondi has clapped back at people critisising him over a trending video, saying the incident happened in 2022
• In the video, Ng'ondi was captured seemingly forcing a handshake and a hug from nominated MCA Fatuma Abdiwahid, who is a Muslim
• Fatuma said that the issue had been resolved and that the speaker apologised on the exact day it happened

Nairobi County Assembly speaker Ken Ng'ondi came out publicly to defend himself over a video circulating online.

What was the Ken Ng'ondi video about?

The infamous video displayed him seemingly forcing a handshake and a hug from nominated MCA Fatuma Abdiwahid, who is a Muslim.

The video sparked a backlash from social media users, expressing outrage at Ng'ondi's actions, which appeared to make Abdiwahid uncomfortable.

Ng'ondi defended himself, stating that the video was taken out of context and asserting that he had no intention of disrespecting anyone.

Ng'ondi noted that the incident occurred in November 2022 during a surprise birthday celebration hosted for him by his colleagues, including Majority Leader Peter Imwatok.

" I want to reach out to the family of mzee Abei and her daughter honourable Fatuma who is one of my devoted member of the assembly. I wish to state that the event of my suprise birthday party organised by honourable women leaders back in November 2022 was blown out of context and that the occurrence of the eventful day was never meant to disparage anyone," Ng'ondi said.

The circulating video has drawn criticism from Muslim faithful and women leaders nationwide, with some calling for action to be taken against the speaker as hugging women is considered a taboo within the Muslim community.

Leaders who came out to defend Speaker Ng'ondi

Ng'ondi was supported by county majority leader Peter Imwatok and his minority counterpart Antony Kiragu.

The two said the video is malicious and aimed at negatively portraying the speaker as someone against women leadership.

"This is an edited video and I wish they had shown the joy that was there when we are celebrating our election and the eventual surprise birthday party of the speaker and the majority leader," said Kiragu.

Minority whip Ronaldo Mugambi linked the circulation of the video to one of the MCAs, whose name he did not mention.

"I know one of us is colluding with bloggers to malign the speaker, executive and the governor over accusations they cannot substantiate," he said.

The Muslim woman MCA in question, Fatima, said the issue wasn't as big as brought out and that Ng'ondi apologised on the day the incident happened.

She further apologised to the Muslim Association and the Jamia community.

"The speaker acknowledged and apologised immediately the same day the incident happened, and I want to apologise to the Jamia community, Muslim Association, all lawyers and we are saying you forgive us," personal assistant to speaker Hafsa Ahmed told the press.

Man arrested for buying pork for Muslim

In a different story, a man was arrested for stalking a Muslim friend he reportedly fell in love with.

On countless occasions, the man followed her everywhere, including her classes at the university and at one point, he bought her a kilo of pork, which led to his arrest.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke