Wajir East MP Rashid Kassim arrested

Wajir East Member of Parliament Rashid Kassim was on Thursday arrested for allegedly assaulting Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi.

The arrest follows a complaint filed by Gedi at Parliament police station and to the office of the Speaker.

The morning incident in Parliament precincts left Gedi with a bloody mouth after a reportedly unprovoked attack by Kassim.

Witnesses said Kassim accused Gedi – who sits in the Budget Committee – of failing to allocate money for his constituency.

Addressing the issue before the House, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi directed that police investigate the matter and take legal action.

“That matter has been reported to me and Parliament police station and I have given instructions that criminals   cannot be harboured in Parliament,”said the Speaker.

Speaker Muturi further insisted that a crime is a crime and was not a matter for the committee of privileges.

“It has been ruled before by previous Speakers, that Parliament cannot be a sanctuary for criminals,” he added.

“…Even if you disagree with a fellow member, it should remain like that, a disagreement, it cannot be an excuse to engage in criminal activities.”

The Speaker warned the legislators against engaging in such activities saying that no one is above the law.

He further directed that the MPs allow the investigating agencies do their work barring further debate on the matter.