This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On a Friday morning in July 2020, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu made headlines for her kind gesture towards a Tanzanian woman, Pendo Masonga, who was in dire need of medical attention.
Ms. Masonga, a 20-year-old Tanzanian national, was sitting by the roadside in Nairobi with a malignant growth on her mouth. Governor Ngilu, who was on an official visit, stopped her motorcade and interacted with Ms. Masonga and her child.
The governor offered to pay for Ms. Masonga's Maxillofacial operation at the Kitui Referral hospital. The medical procedure will be conducted at the Kitui Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Interestingly, this act of kindness came at a time when Governor Ngilu was facing rebellion from her MCAs. She had accused Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka of being behind her ouster attempts.
Speaking on Radio Maisha, Governor Ngilu claimed that Kalonzo had warned her that she would not have an easy time because he had majority members in the Assembly. She stated, 'He attended my swearing-in ceremony and warned me that I will not have an easy time because he has majority members in the Assembly. It has now come to pass.'
The governor also noted that she would not get fairness from the county Assembly, as the Wiper brigade was under pressure to impeach her.
