Security detail attached to Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta assaulted a senator whom they mistook for a ‘nobody’.
A clip showing members of President Kenyatta’s security team preventing the Senator from joining a queue of dignitaries to welcome the President has gone viral.
Senator representing Nakuru County, Susan Kihika could not believe the treatment she got from the security details during the face-off.
Sen. Kihika was among leaders who had turned up to receive the President at the Nakuru County Assembly. The President was set to launch a refurbished debating chamber and Ugatuzi Plaza.
According to Njoro MP Charity Kathambi, the two security officers ordered that all Members of County Assembly (MCAs) get off the line of leaders who were to receive the President.
“The two ordered that no MCA should be on the line when they came back. The MCAs, despite it being their day obliged and moved away.
“When the two came back they found the Senator on the line. They thought she was one of the MCAs. The male security officer shouted at her ‘yaani MCAs hamsikii’ as he pushed her away,” said Kathambi.
The second officer, a woman who was also in civilian clothes, slapped the Senator for getting back in line before Arama and his Gilgil counterpart Martha Wangari intervened.
“The security guys didn’t know who is who. It was unfortunate that this brought about the confusion. However, the Senator took no offence and has not complained about it,” said Arama.
After realizing his mistake, the male officer moved behind the legislators and pulled the Senator aside to apologize, according to Kathambi.
“He apologized to her, but it was wrong for them to handle her in such a manner. We request that they handle people with respect. None of us had bad intentions while receiving the President,” said Kathambi.
The Senator who didn’t seem to have picked any offence waited until the President arrived and was all smiles as they exchanged pleasantries. No doubt the President got briefed on what had transpired before his arrival.
All Image Credit: Standard Media