The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Wednesday announced that they had taken up the matter concerning the assault of an election official in Nyeri County.
Video footage was shared online portraying an incident where female election observer Martha Miano was slapped by one of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua's aides.
Ms Miano allegedly raised alarm over what she deemed to be voter bribery during the Ruguru Ward by-election, leading to the violent encounter.
The man who slapped her was heard questioning: "Unatusi mheshimiwa? Anatusi mheshimiwa kwa nini (How can she insult the MP? Why is she insulting the MP)?"
[caption caption="Screenshot of moment when election observer Martha Miano was slapped during the Ruguru Ward by-election"]
[/caption]
The widely shared video elicited outrage from members of the public who wondered why the man slapped the official.
The ODPP shared the reaction by former Kirinyaga gubernatorial candidate Martha Karua who called for action on the matter.
Ms Karua tweeted: "Our collective level of tolerance of women battering by male leaders including the @KideroEvans slap may be the issue here! Let's join hands and call for accountability @fidakenya @CREAWKenya @covaw @CsMatiangi @ODPP_KE @JBoinnet."
She had previously reacted to a post by political analyst Benji Ndolo whose major concern was the level of calm exuded by Ms Miano in an interview with NTV.
The comment by the former Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister received backing from other women who followed the conversation keenly.
One Beth Mbesu commented: "We've also read of Mama Ngilu being threatened with violence by (MP Gideon) Mulyungi. If women in leadership are victims of gender violence and intimidation, what about me and the other village women? We must stand up and call for accountability."
Here's the tweet posted by the ODPP.
The attention of the DPP has been drawn to the incident that occurred during the by-election that took place in Nyeri County. Appropriate directions shall be issued tomorrow morning. Cc @NPSOfficial_KE @DCI_Kenya https://t.co/YwgxrRhWvE
— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) April 18, 2018
