Court Allows Jailed Grace Wakhungu to be Treated by Her Personal Doctor

A Nairobi court has granted a request by corruption convict Grace Wakhungu to be visited by her personal doctor at Lang’ata Women’s Prison pending her bail hearing.

Wakhungu, who was handed a 39-year jail sentence after she was found guilty of defrauding the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) of Sh300 million, had made the request through her attorney Paul Muite.

Wakhungu, who is the mother of kenyan Ambassador to France Judi Wakhungu, argued that her health deteriorated in prison due to pre-existing medical conditions. The 80-year-old is said to be suffering from athlete’s foot and hypertension.

“Let us not run the danger of her death at Lang’ata prison,” Muite argued.

High Court Justice John Onyiego while granting the request on Monday directed that Wakhungu’s personal doctor, Martin Wanyoike is allowed to visit her at the detention facility. The judge said this should be done and in consultation with the officer-in-charge of medical matters at the prison.

Wakhungu was sentenced together with her co-accused Sirisia MP John Waluke over the Sh300 million maize scandal at NCPB. Alternatively, the two were ordered to pay a fine of Sh707 million and 727 million respectively.

The two are seeking to be released on bail pending the hearing and determination of their appeal against their conviction and sentencing.

The prosecution is opposing their bail application on grounds that their appeal has minimal chances of success. The ruling on the bail application is set for September 25th.