Outrage after Nairobi County Speaker Ng'ondi forces Muslim woman to shake his hand, hug him

Ng'ondi, the Nairobi County Assembly Speaker, can be seen moving around acknowledging the good wishes from his colleagues, most of whom are already on their feet singing "Happy Birthday" to him. 

The Speaker then pompously walks towards his female colleague - a Muslim - and creates a stir around her, goading her to stand up and shake his hand properly.

Seated behind her are other male colleagues who pick up on the frenzy, also asking the woman to get up and do as her boss instructs.

"Leo unisalimie na birthday!" he says, stretching his hand towards her. "Ni birthday yangu..."

Behind her, some men shout, "Salimia watu, salimia watu!"

At this point, the woman is already evidently flustered, as she appears reluctant to stand up and even look up, and even when she eventually does stand up, her uneasiness is palpable as he throws his hands all over her, attempting to get her to ease off and hug him.

"Piga picha leo! Picha picha leo!" he barks.

The video, which was shared on X by popular X blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, immediately caused outrage with many reprimanding Ng'ondi for disregarding the woman's consent.

"This is physical assault, a gross trespass to the person of the lady. I will be very surprised if criminal charges are not preferred," tweeted top lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi.

Hotelier Mohammed Hersi branded Ng'ondi's as an "uncultured man who has no respect for women and others' faith" and said the woman should sue the Speaker.

"This woman has all the right to level charges against him as it qualifies as sexual harassment intimidation aside. She should have stood up and told him "don't dare lay your hands on me". Trust me even a fool will come back to his senses," said Hersi.

Politician Billow Kerrow termed the action as "Uncouth" and also suggested that the woman should seek legal redress. "The woman should take legal action," he said.

"What you are witnessing here is someone who can easily abuse the juniors. Why is this allowed on someone heading an institution like the County Assembly of Nairobi?" asked Nyakundi. 

"Hello, my Muslim brothers and sisters. Why should someone force himself on a devout Muslim lady who is not willing to defy the manners of her faith?"

Reacting to the video, Usikimywe Founder Njeri wa Migwi said, "This is harassment. She has clear boundaries on her person that he is breaching. She's uncomfortable, doesn't want the engagement and he keeps going in and touching her inappropriately!"

"This is unethical, vile, inappropriate and disgusting behaviour. She should sue."

On her part, environmental activist Nusrat Muhammed said, "Even if she wasn't a Muslim, to force someone like that physically, who clearly objects to the advancement, is simply vile, disrespectful and absolute harassment!"

Hussein Abdulrazaq, a Mombasa-based public speaker also chimed him, saying, "This is harassment & disrespect. Dear sisters, make it a habit of standing up for yourself in such situations. Don't fear losing your job, rizik is from Allah!"

"Don't tolerate such nonsense from these mediocre people in the name of leaders/seniors. That said, the speaker should be impeached!"