Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko‘s doctor now says he needs to travel to South Africa for hip replacement surgery.
In a report to court, Dr Esther Wekesa of Kenyatta National Hospital says Sonko has developed severe arthritis.
He has been in hospital for over two weeks. “The patient has been reviewed by several orthopaedic surgeons who all have recommended bilateral hip replacements.
“If left untreated, avascular necrosis can lead to severe complications such as bone collapse or even fracture,” says Dr Wekesa.
“I can’t Come to Kenya”
Interestingly, the recommended surgeon in South Africa Dr Robert Van Der Plank “cannot travel to Kenya at the moment.” He can only attend to Sonko in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“I have spoken with Dr. Plank on phone and email about taking up the case but he has not been to Kenya in the last 2 years and says he won’t be coming anytime soon,” Dr Wekesa said.
An internet search reveals that Dr Van Der Plank practices at Olivedale Clinic, a private Netcare Hospital in the North West of Johannesburg. It adds that the doctor “takes part in an ongoing commitment to teach arthroscopic surgery to Orthopaedic surgeons in Kenya.”
Dr Van Der Plank “has presented a paper on Sepsis within joint replacements to the Kenyan Orthopaedic Association and he regularly invites Kenyan surgeons to observe procedures in South Africa.”
Meanwhile, Clifford Ouko and Benjamin Ouko, arrested with Sonko on terrorism charges, have been released after 26 days in custody. Danstan Omari, their lawyer, told Kamiti court that the two had contracted Covid-19 while in custody. The case will be mentioned on March 3.
Last week, Sonko alleged that the government wants to re-open a 1998 criminal case against him so as to continue holding him in remand.