Nairobi county speaker is facing online criticism after a now-viral video showed him forcing a Muslim female colleague to shake his hand and embrace him at a workplace birthday celebration.

Speaker Kennedy Ng'ondi can be seen strolling about, recognizing the good wishes of his colleagues, the majority of whom are already on their feet singing "Happy Birthday" to him.

PHOTO | COURTESY Speaker Kennedy Ng'ondiĀ 

The Speaker then approaches his Muslim female colleague and appears to be pressuring her to rise up and properly shake his hand.

Other male colleagues behind her pick up on the excitement and beg the woman to get up and follow her boss's instructions.

Some men shouted behind her, "Salimia watu, salimia watu!"


At this point, the woman is nervous. She looks hesitant to rise up or even look up, and even when she does, her unease is visible as he throws his hands all over her, attempting to get her to relax and hug him.

"Piga picha, leo!" "Picha picha Leo!" He said.

Kenyans who were unhappy with the speaker's actions did not hesitate to tell him that he was disrespecting the woman and her religion.


PHOTO | COURTESY Speaker Kennedy Ng'ondi

"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.

"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.