Drama in court as foreign national complains about ugali-cabbage, asks for ‘good food’

Foreign national Hodgkinson Enock takes a plea on charges of being unlawfully present in Kenya contrary to section 53(1)(j) as read with section 53(2) of the Kenyan Citizenship and immigration act no. 12 of 2011 before presiding magistrate Daisy Mutai at Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi on May 28, 2026/LEAH MUKANGAI

A Nairobi court was briefly filled with laughter after a foreign national facing immigration-related charges made an unusual request to be served “good food” while in custody, saying he was dissatisfied with the standard meals provided.

The man appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Daisy Mutai at the Milimani Law Courts, where he faces charges of being in Kenya without valid legal documentation.

The court was initially proceeding with routine pre-trial directions when the light-hearted exchange unfolded.

“They have not been feeding me,” he said.

The magistrate responded by informing him that he would be provided with food while in custody.

However, the exchange quickly took a turn when the accused sought further clarification on what type of meals he would be given.

He went on to express dissatisfaction with the standard remand diet, specifically mentioning ugali and cabbage, prompting visible reactions in the courtroom.

“I should be given good food… ugali and cabbage… is that what you are saying should happen? No, I don’t think so,” he said, drawing laughter from those present.

The magistrate, maintaining order in court, declined to issue any directives on the request, advising him to accept the meals provided within the correctional facility.

She further noted that he would be adequately catered for while in custody.

“There is food where you are going,” the magistrate said, prompting another wave of subdued laughter in the courtroom.

At one point, the man insisted that he required better meals, stating, “I need food, I need water,” while attempting to emphasise his concerns over the quality and quantity of the food he had been receiving.

A court officer later escorted him out of the dock after the brief exchange, which had momentarily disrupted the otherwise formal proceedings.

The man is accused of being in Kenya without valid immigration documents, a charge he has denied.

He told the court that he was unable to regularise his stay because his travel documents were allegedly confiscated by immigration authorities, a claim that will be examined during the trial process.

The matter is scheduled to proceed to a pre-trial stage on June 8, 2026, where the court is expected to issue further directions on the handling of the case.

The case momentarily turned a routine court session into an unexpectedly light moment before proceedings resumed normal order.