Wajir East MP arrested over assault charges at the invitation of Speaker Muturi

Wajir Women Rep, Fatuma Gedi and Wajir East MP, Rashid Kassim (Courtesy)

NAIROBI—The speaker of the National Assembly has ruled out the case against Wajir MP to be sorted out by the privilege committee.

Speaking at the parliament building, Speaker Justin Muturi said August House would not shield criminal activity.

“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.

Muturi added that: ““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.”

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.

He was arrested following assault on Wajir women representative, Fatuma Gedi at the precinct of the Parliament.

Rashid and Fatuma reportedly disagreed over budgetary allocations where the MP claims his Wajir East constituency was not fairly considered. Fatuma sits in the budget committee.