Kenyan MPs have been most notoriously known for the heated exchanges that ensue amongst them when they find themselves on opposite sides of their respective divides.
The use of violence among Kenyan leaders is hardly ever out of the question when it comes to the political question of who can outdo the other.
But the sight of an elected leader descending on a voter with kicks and blows after a trivial altercation would be least of your expectations of our otherwise honourable leaders.
There are a few times, though, that we have been treated to videos of Kenyan politicians assaulting citizens in brazen acts that baffled many. Below we highlight five such incidents.
Benjamin Washiali
Starting with the most recent case, on Sunday, January 5, a video clip went viral on social media showing Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali beating up a man who had been apprehended. In the video lasting 25 seconds, the victim is seen captured by a group of men keen on inflicting injury.
The man tries to plead with the men before the Mumias East MP lands a slap across the face. The defenseless man is pushed back by the resultant impact as the legislator continues with his attack punching and kicking the man who isn't able to fight back.
When contacted, the legislator did not deny the authenticity of the undated video but could not confirm the date when the incident happened.
Barasa-Arati Kibra Drama
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa was a victim of citizen assault after youth who he alleged were linked to Simba Arati descended on him in Kibra during the November 7, 2019, by-election - a dramatic incident that was broadcasted on live TV.
The video opens with the Kimilili MP having a chat with Jubilee leaders when Arati walks up to him and shakes his hand. Arati is then heard cautioning Barasa with some curious words. "Barasa, you know I can decide that you be chased away?" Moments later, a number of youths surround them and rough up the MP as Arati tries to intervene.
A number of netizens called for the arrest of Simba Arati after the video emerged.
The incident happened at DC Grounds in Kibra during the by-election that was won by the ODM candidate Imran Okoth.
Governor's Slap
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has on two separate incidents been caught on camera assaulting citizens.
Sonko elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans after assaulting a journalist from The Standard as he entered the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) offices where he had been summoned.
Collins Kweyu, a cameraman for The Standard was the journalist caught up in the scuffle. He appeared to be in the governor’s way as he was dashing past the EACC’s gate probably to get a clear shot of the Nairobi Governor.
Another time Sonko was recorded was on June 15, 2019, in Eastleigh, Nairobi. The governor had visited Madiwa area where a private developer had allegedly demolished some buildings.
In the video, a group of youths is seen bringing forth a young man towards Sonko whilst announcing that he had tried to run away.
Sonko then gives the young man a hot slap, shouts inaudible words at him and as a result, a minor commotion almost broke out on the street.
Elisha Odhiambo
In another controversial video, Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo assaulted a blogger, Maurice Ochieng alias Don Pablo who had alleged on his Facebook page that the MP had been arrested by officers from the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC).
The MP accosted the blogger and slapped him severally while in the company of other youths. The blogger immediately reported the incident to a local police station in June 2019.
Alice Wahome
Controversial Kandara MP Alice Wahome in 2017, was also caught on camera assaulting an IEBC commissioner. This happened in Kandara, Murang’a County, when the area MP confronted the constituency’s Returning Officer, Martin Malonza, over presidential poll results.
According to Wahome, she was called by her agents who told her that Malonza had disallowed them from signing Form 34B. The video that was recorded at the Ng’araria Girls Secondary School tallying centre, went viral and Kenyans took to social media to strongly condemn the actions of the legislator.
Alice Wahome continues to make headlines as a very vocal MP allied to the Deputy President.
Here is the video displaying all five incidences...
