Deputy President William Ruto's ally and politician Mohammed Tenge was on Tuesday, December 15, captured on camera slapping a civilian believed to be an ODM supporter in Msambweni constituency.
In a video making rounds on social media, the ODM supporter and Tenge engaged in a heated argument before Tenge slapped the civilian before quickly retracting.
The ODM would then attempt to also slap the politician but was stopped in his tracks by police officers who were at the scene.
Msambweni by-election: Scuffle ensues after Mombasa politician Mohamed Tenge slaps ODM supporter. #MsambweniDecides pic.twitter.com/KKOW7SmjBy
— Nation Africa (@NationAfrica) December 15, 2020
The DP's allies, who have been supporting independent candidate Faisal Bader, complained that the government had transferred top security officers ahead of the election.
They also accused the police of taking sides in the election as opposed to maintaining a neutral stand.
"It is as if you have taken sides. We are all grown-ups and so we should talk respectfully," Nyali MP Mohammed Ali stated.
Ali recorded a statement at the Nyali police station after recording a statement accusing a senior ODM politician of physical assault.
Ali alleged that the ODM politician had sent rowdy youth who smashed the rear window, right-hand side mirror, and damaged the right door of his car.
Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama was earlier arrested and taken into custody after chaos erupted at the Jomo Kenyatta Primary School polling station in Msambweni.
In addition, the station was closed and declared a no-go zone.
The by-election was marred with accusations and counter-accusations pitting allies of independent candidate Feisal Bader and ODM’s Omar Boga.
The outcome of the Msambweni election is expected to test the political power of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga against the DP.
The constituency, which has more than 69,000 voters will elect a new MP following the death of Suleiman Dori eight months ago.
