Sonko escapes charge in House assault row

A parliamentary official has withdrawn an assault complaint against Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi.

National Assembly sergeant-at-arms Harun Okal, who on Thursday last week reported that the MP had injured his left hand, said he had “no claim whatsoever” against Mr Mbuvi.

The alleged confrontation in Parliament also involved Attorney-General Githu Muigai.

The official reported that he was hurt when he positioned himself between Mr Mbuvi and Prof Muigai after the MP allegedly shouted and insulted the AG.

But on Thursday he went to the Parliament Police Station and withdrew the complaint.

He wrote: “I have no claim against him (Mr Mbuvi) whatsoever.”

The truce was reached in the presence of the police station commander.

It turned out that Mr Mbuvi, popularly known as Sonko, had also filed a bribery complaint against Mr Okal. The MP also withdrew the complaint.

Mr Mbuvi allegedly gave the sergeant-at-arms cash when they met at Hotel Intercontinental. He further claimed he had a video clip to prove the allegation.

However, the two did not mention that Prof Muigai was slapped in the altercation as reported in the Star newspaper.

On Wednesday, Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko ordered police to investigate the matter.

The MP had been evicted from the chambers by temporary Speaker Joyce Laboso for shouting ‘mwizi’ (thief) during debate on MPs’ gratuity.

He met the AG at the corridors as he walked out.

In a letter, Law Society of Kenya chief executive Apollo Mboya asked Speaker Kenneth Marende to address “this unfortunate episode”.