MP Rashid Kassim Arrested for Assaulting Wajir Woman Rep. Fatuma Gedi

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

Kassim was arrested after Ms. Gedi filed a complaint at Parliament Police Station and to the office of the National Assembly Speaker.

Kassim allegedly punched Ms. Gedi in Parliament precincts on Thursday morning, leaving her with minor injuries on her face.

Sources said Kassim accused Gedi, who sits in the National Assembly Budget Committee, of failing to allocate enough funds for his constituency.

Nairobi News reported that an argument ensued before MP Kassim physically attacked Ms. Gedi.

“I was just walking with my colleague Ms. Wanga when he accosted me and started calling me stupid and within minutes he punched me on the cheek,” Ms. Gedi told Nairobi News.

“I told him that Wajir county was only allocated Ksh.100million and we had to allocate money to only areas of priority to the region like water and roads but he told me that is nonsense,” she added.

Reacting to the incident in Parliament, Speaker Justin Muturi directed police to 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 harbored in Parliament,” said Muturi.

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