Police to question MP over alleged beating of guard

Police in Mombasa want to interview Matuga MP Hassan Mwanyoha over an incident where a petrol station staff member was allegedly assaulted when he blocked a vehicle from overlapping near the Likoni Ferry Channel on Thursday.

Eyewitnesses told the Nation that the ODM lawmaker had just disembarked from the ferry when he found his car trapped in the traffic snarl-up, forcing him to try alternative routes only to find the entry to a nearby Total petrol station blocked.

One of the occupants of the MP's vehicle exited and started removing the tyres that had blocked the entrance, only to be confronted by a guard who inquired why he was doing so without asking for permission.

“It was at this juncture that the man started raining slaps and kicks before being joined by the MP’s driver who also kicked the guard, sending him falling to the ground,” the witnesses said.

On Friday, the guard, Ali Mohamed, in an interview with the Nation complained of pains all over his body following the assault. The petrol station's owner Hamisi Hassan allowed him to go to hospital.

According to the owner who was present during the fracas, the cries of his guard drew his attention and on rushing to the entrance, he found him cornered by Mr Mwanyoha’s bodyguards.

A large crowd had gathered which sided with the guard by telling the MP that what he had done was not honourable at all.

On sensing danger from the hostile crowd, the Matuga legislator reversed his car and joined the traffic on the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway.

RECORDED STATEMENTS

Contacted via phone, Likoni sub-county OCPD Wily Simba confirmed the incident, saying they had launched investigations into the circumstances that led to the commotion before making any arrests.

“Already two people have recorded statements with the CID officers and we are also expecting the owner of the petrol station to do so,” he said.

His officers, according to him, would liaise with their Kwale County counterparts to get a statement from the lawmaker who hails from there.

“The incident happened here (Mombasa County) but the MP comes from our neighbouring county so it is prudent with work with our colleagues there,” he added.

Tuk tuk and boda boda riders expressed outrage and shock over the MP's conduct, saying it did not fit a leader of his calibre who should always be a shining example to be emulated.

“What happened here last night (Thursday) was really shameful because the victim was doing his job of controlling vehicles using the station as shortcut to avoid the traffic jam,” said one of the riders who declined to be identified.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Mwanyoha were fruitless because his phone went unanswered for the whole day.