MP Odonga Otto transferred to Nairobi for treatment after suspected poisoning

Aruu-MP-Odonga-Otto-hospitalized
Outgoing Aruu County Member of Parliament, Odonga Otto hospitalized

Nairobi, Kenya | URN | Outgoing Aruu County MP, Samuel Odonga Otto has been transferred to Nairobi, Kenya for further treatment.

Odonga Otto was first hospitalized in Gulu Regional Referral hospital after collapsing while recording a statement at Pader Central police station concerning his escape from police custody on January 6, 2021.

The MP had been arrested by police from Awere trading centre for alleged failure to observe Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] instituted by the ministry of Health to curb the spread of COVID-19, and holding campaigns past the 6 pm deadline set by the Electoral Commission [EC].

On Wednesday evening police blocked Otto’s transfer to Mulago Specialised National Referral hospital in Kampala. It took the intervention of the Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya who contacted the deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech for help.   

From Gulu hospital, Otto was transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor also in Gulu before being transferred to Nakasero hospital in Kampala when his health condition further deteriorated.

“Hello. From Pader police station to Gulu Regional Referral hospital, then to Lacor hospital, then to Nakasero hospital now I have been referred to Nairobi this evening for more medical examination and treatment. I will be back when doctors say I am well. Pray for me. Thank you, Hon. Otto” he said in a message to this publication.

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Gilbert Olanya, the Acholi Parliamentary Group general secretary said today Sunday that Otto has been complaining of chest and internal organs pain and suspects to have been poisoned.

Otto lost his fifth term bid for the Aruu County parliamentary seat in the just-concluded parliamentary elections. He was defeated by independent candidate, Christopher Komakech who was declared the winner after garnering 9,327 votes against Otto’s 5,953 votes.