The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has provided an update on the attack and insults meted on Port Victoria Hospital Medical staff by a lady captured on video.
Through a press statement released on January 10, the ODPP clarified that there was sufficient evidence to charge the suspect, identified by Lenny Vanessa Ogema.
“Upon perusal of the inquiry file and analysis of the evidence available, the ODPP was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to charge the suspect,” read the statement in part.
ODPP Clarifies Charges
Furthermore, the ODPP noted that Vanessa would be charged with four offences under the Penal Code.
Among the charges include assault causing actual bodily harm contrary, creating disturbance and Malicious damage to property.
Additionally, according to the statement, Vanessa will also be charged with the threat of injury to persons employed in the public service.
Vanessa was arraigned in court before Port Victoria Magistrate’s Court on 8th January 2024 where she pleaded not guilty to charges levelled against her.
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The statement further read, “She pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was released on a bond of Ksh200,000 with a surety of a similar amount.”
Also, the ODPP has directed that a second male suspect captured in the video accompanying Vanessa be identified, apprehended, and charged alongside her.
The criminal case filed in court will be mentioned on 17th January 2024 for further directions and taking hearing dates.
Vanessa Captured Harassing Medical Staff
On 1st January 2024, a video circulated on social media of the then unidentified lady assaulting medical staff at the health facility in Busia County.
Notably, in the viral video, Ogema was seen hurling insults at staff members in the hospital, demanding attention for a patient she had accompanied.
Oblivious that her tirade was being recorded, the lady went on threatening the staff members that she would report them to a senior government official from the county.
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However, the medics stood their ground and insisted that they had to follow the existing rules in attending to patients.
The incident was reported at Port Victoria Police Station, with the DPP directing the Inspector General of the National Police Service to investigate the incident.
Vanessa Ogema later surrendered herself to the police on Sunday, January 7, afternoon, entering the Busia Police Station in the company of three men for processing.
At the time, her face was covered with a surgical mask and a gray hoodie which concealed her face from cameras and members of the public at the station.
Her submission came on the back of sustained pressure from various quarters calling for the relevant authorities to take action against her.
