A Nairobi court turned into an unusual scene on Thursday after an American national charged with immigration offences complained about the food served to him in custody, telling the magistrate he was dissatisfied with ugali and cabbage and instead wanted “good food.”
The accused, identified as Hodgkinson Enock Jedidah, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Mutai at the Milimani Law Courts, where he is facing charges related to being in Kenya without valid immigration documentation.
During the hearing, Jedidah raised a light moment in court after expressing frustration over the standard meals provided to remandees in custody. He told the court that he did not consider the food acceptable and asked for a better menu while in detention.
His remarks briefly drew laughter from those present in the courtroom as he questioned why ugali and cabbage were being served to him, insisting that the meals were not suitable for his preference.
“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, prompting a brief reaction in court.
Jedidah further told the court that the meals provided were not satisfactory and requested authorities to consider offering him improved portions and a more varied diet during his stay in custody.
However, the magistrate declined to entertain the request, advising him to adhere to the food arrangements provided by the correctional facility while his case proceeds through the justice system.
Beyond the food complaint, Jedidah also denied the immigration-related charges brought against him. He told the court that his travel documents had been confiscated by immigration officials, making it difficult for him to regularise his stay in the country.
The prosecution, however, opposed his explanation, arguing that the accused had overstayed his permitted time in Kenya and remained in the country unlawfully for an extended period.
The court was further informed that investigations into his immigration status were ongoing, with authorities maintaining that he had no valid legal basis for remaining in the country at the time of his arrest.
After hearing both sides, the magistrate ordered that Jedidah be remanded at the Industrial Area Prison pending further proceedings in the case.
The matter is expected to be mentioned again as the court continues to review the evidence and immigration documentation linked to the accused.
