Kenyan MP, Rashid Kassim Arrested for Slapping Female Colleague

One would believe lawmakers are not just makers but custodians of the law.

It appears many individuals who hold positions in the House of Parliament only occupy ceremonial portfolios.

Yesterday, news broke on social media that a Kenyan Member of Parliament had assaulted a female colleague. The incident was widely shared online and this has prompted the authorities to take action and arrest the MP.

The accused, Mr. Rashid Kassim allegedly assaulted Ms. Fatuma Gedi by slapping her in the parliament car park in Nairobi on Thursday.

Ms. Fatuma Gedi, who sits on the budget committee, said Mr. Rashid Kassim had slapped her for not giving money to his constituency.

Reports from eyewitnesses confirmed the story and claimed, the MP for Wajir East, in northeast Kenya, confronted his colleague about why she had not allocated funds to his constituency.

Within a few minutes after the incident, images and short video clips of Ms. Fatuma Gedi in tears and blood in her mouth was circulated on social media after the alleged assault.

Later that day, it was reported that all the female MPs walked out of the House of Parliament in protest of the assault on their colleague. Photos and video footage of the protest were widely shared on social media with the hashtag #JusticeForFatumaGedi.

MP Sabina Wanjiru Chege told the BBC that male MPs had been mocking their female colleagues and “saying it was slapping day.”

Ms. Chege added that they said "women needed to have manners" and "we need to know how to treat men.

"We are all members of parliament… we are no lesser than them," Ms. Chege said.

Well, the Criminal Investigation Unit in the country has gone into action and arrested Mr. Rashid Kassim for his troubles.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kenya confirmed Mr. Kassim was arrested in the parliament grounds on Thursday evening.

A spokesperson tweeted: “Hon. Rashid Kassim Amin, the Member of Parliament for Wajir East was today evening arrested within the Precincts of Parliament by @DCI_Kenya Detectives in connection with causing actual bodily harm to @Hon_FatumaGedi.

“Further investigations are ongoing.”

What are your thoughts?

Header Image Credit: Twitter