Outrage as female MCA alleges assault by male peers in budget clash

An aerial view of a special meeting of the Members of County Assembly in Mombasa County on Wednesday 9th February 2022. [File, Standard] A female Member of the County Assembly (MCA) in Kilifi is suffering from backbone injuries after she was allegedly assaulted by her male colleagues on Monday. Ms Elina Mapenzi claims the county's Majority Leader Ibrahim Abdi Athumani and Deputy Majority Whip Twahir Abdul attacked her for supporting the disbandment of the budget committee. Yesterday, Kilifi County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Mr Robert Kiinge confirmed that his office is investigating the incident after Mapenzi filed a complaint. "The affected MCA reported the incident. We have procedures for dealing with public employees, and we have begun those procedures. The incident is under investigation," said Mr Kiinge. He said the report indicates that Ms Mapenzi was assaulted during a budget committee meeting in the Malindi County Assembly's Conference Hall on Monday, May 12, 2025. Ms Mapenzi said the two male MCAs attacked her after she supported the speaker's ruling to disband the budget committee following claims of integrity issues. The nominated MCS stated that she was assaulted for raising her voice and supporting the speaker's declaration that the whole House Committee should manage the budget. "I sat next to Athumani during the session. When I raised my voice to support the House committee's budget declaration, he banged the table. And when I asked him why he was banging the table, he stood up and beat me and tore my dress," said Mapenzi. The clerk of the assembly and other workers separate Athumani from Mapenzi. "But as we were walking outside the conference hall, the Deputy Majority Whip, Twahir Abdul, also came and punched me from the back," said Mapenzi, who addressed the press yesterday. However, Athumani, alias Matumbo, Watamu ward MCA, denied the allegations, saying that he did not assault Mapenzi and that the Monday session was very peaceful. ''Those allegations are not true. She was not beaten. We had a peaceful meeting, and I cannot agree with such a thing to happen," said Athumani. Kilifi County Assembly Speaker Teddy Mwambire said disciplinary action will be taken against members whose conduct affects public confidence in the assembly. He said that such incidents were tainting the image of the assembly. "We do not condone any form of violence against our members. It is shameful and unacceptable," said Mwambire. The speaker ruled in favour of the whole house committee to discuss the 2025/2026 budget after 35 MCAs complained about the unfair distribution of resources at the ward level. "The 35 MCAs raised the unequal distribution of county ward funds. So we decided that all the 51 MCAs will be involved in the budget planning for the benefit of the people, but some MCAs did not like the idea," he said. Reports indicate that some MCAs are currently in Voi to discuss the budget and the possibility of removing the speaker from office. Yesterday, Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo condemned the assault of the female MCA, saying it infringes on the rights of minority voices within the assembly. "In a democratic framework, we must protect and respect the rights and voices of the minority while recognising the importance of the majority's perspective," said Madzayo. Ganda ward MCA Oscar Wanje also condemned the attack, saying failure to take action will result in more gender-based violence cases. "I condemn the barbaric behaviour; raising hands against one lady leader in the name of politics during a disagreement on the ongoing House budget committee issue is uncalled for," he said. He added: "I best describe this act as the highest betrayal of leadership when a man raises his hand against a woman just to settle political differences." Last month, the same two MCAs were accused of forcefully chasing the County Secretary, Martin Mwaro, out of office despite an existing court order that reinstated him.

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