State played role in 'destroying' Rubia's health: doctor

Former Cabinet Minister Charles Rubia speaks to reporters as he left Milimani Law Courts on February 28, 2018, after the hearing of the lawsuit he filed against the government for illegal detention. PHOTO | SAM KIPLAGAT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Dr Gikonyo said he was allowed to examine him on condition that they do not speak in Kikuyu.

  • Dr Gikonyo said Mr Rubia told him he was sleeping on cold floor with inadequate blanket and that the room was dusty.

Former Cabinet Minister Charles Rubia was denied proper healthcare while in detention during Daniel Moi’s presidency.

Cardiologist Dan Gikonyo, while testifying in Mr Rubia's lawsuit against the government on Friday, said the second liberation hero was locked up in a deplorable room.

Further, he was only allowed to check-up on him under police watch.

Dr Gikonyo said he and Mr Rubia have been friends for many years, but he became his personal doctor on October 30, 1987.

WILSON AIRPORT

He said after Mr Rubia’s arrest in 1990, the politician requested the authorities to allow his doctor to see him.

When he first paid him a medical visitation on November 1, 1990, Dr Gikonyo said he first received a call from the police instructing him to wait in his office.

He did so and at 11pm, he was picked up by police and escorted to Nairobi's Wilson Airport by a convoy of three vehicles.

"We arrived at Wilson Airport and I was ushered into an empty room. I entered and found him seated alone," he told Justice Chacha Mwita.

NUTRITION

Dr Gikonyo said he was allowed to examine him on condition that they do not speak in Kikuyu.

"I did the examination in front of many police officers and he had multiple complaints including recurrent headaches, difficulty in breathing and aches in joints," he recalled.

He said Mr Rubia told him he was sleeping on cold floor with inadequate blanket and that the room was dusty.

Consequently, the cold was affecting his chest and he was not getting adequate nutrition.

Upon checking his weight, the cardiologist said Mr Rubia had reduced from 81kgs to 75kgs.

CHEST TUMOUR

The physician recommended that the detainee be allowed to exercise and be given fruits "once in a while".

But on the second visitation at Nairobi Area traffic headquarters, where his patient was transferred, the only change was that he and the politician's wife were allowed to see him.

He recounted that Mr Rubia appeared weak and complained of difficulty in breathing.

Thus, the doctor recommended a head and chest scan, which showed a tumour was pressing against his wind pipe.

SURGERY

The doctor said the growth should be surgically removed because it was malignant.

On the third visit, Dr Gikonyo said Mr Rubia was brought to Nairobi Hospital where he was working and more tests were done.

Mr Rubia was released two weeks later and Dr Gikonyo made arrangements for him to be flown to London for further treatment.

The hearing will continue next week.

MEDICAL EXPENSES

Mr Rubia, Kenya’s first African mayor, said although he cannot quantify the amount of his losses, he believes Sh325 million is justifiable.

Mr Rubia, 94, said he spent Sh12 million between 1991 and 1999 and a further Sh30 million on medical expenses after he was released.

He was arrested twice as he and others such as the late Kenneth Matiba agitated for multipartysm.