Uproar After Video Captures Police Manhandle Ruto Allied MP Benjamin Washiali

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali (left) and the lawmaker being manhandled by police
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali (left) and the lawmaker being manhandled by police.
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Politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto read mischief in the dramatic arrest of Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali.

On Saturday, July 30, the politician, a point man for the DP in Western Kenya, was captured on video being manhandled by anti-riot police officers in combat gear.

Dressed in a yellow-T-shirt signaling his support for Kenya Kwanza, the politician was seen being clobbered by a contingent of police officers as he resisted questioning the reason for his arrest.

The commotion, which lasted for several minutes, saw the lawmaker dragged to an awaiting police car but resisted to board.

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali.
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali.
Daily Nation

Allies of the DP maintained that Washiali was illegally arrested for carrying out an inspection of Bukhungu stadium a day before a Kenya Kwanza rally scheduled for Sunday, July 31.

Insiders, however, claimed that the lawmaker was arrested for vandalizing a gate of the multi-million facility.

"Hon. Benjamin Washiali gets dramatically arrested. He was reportedly inspecting grounds for a Western Kenya Kwanza rally happening tomorrow," stated Gerald Bitok.

"A Luhya elected leader being tortured in Kakamega Town by Police Officers on the instructions of top leadership to curtail his freedom of association," argued Westlands MP contender Nelson Havi.

"Washiali is officially in the opposition. That's how one who is heading there is handled," observed Richard Omuga.

The arrest comes just days after Kenya Kwanza running mate Rigathi Gachagua claimed his life was in danger while Ruto pleaded with the Head of State not to harm his children.

On Friday, July 29 while speaking in Nandi County, Ruto accused the President of threatening him despite riding on his support in the 2013 and 2017 general elections.

Ruto asked Uhuru not to drag his kids into their wrangles and cautioned that no amount of intimidation would distract him from his course. 

"Stop talking about me and talk about your candidate. Be gentleman. Have some gratitude. We are the ones who helped you. When you needed people, we stood by you till the last minute. Do not harm my children," Ruto stated.

Gachagua, on the other hand, claimed that state mercenaries were targeting the DP and him as campaigns period enters homestretch.

Deputy President William Ruto speaking in Kapsabet, Nandi county on Friday July 29, 2022
Deputy President William Ruto speaking in Kapsabet, Nandi county, on Friday, July 29, 2022.
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