MP's bodyguards assaulted me in road rage, claims businessman

Nairobi, Kenya: Two bodyguards attached to Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi are on the spot after they allegedly assaulted a motorist on Ngong Road, Nairobi in a road rage incident.

Businessman Ahmed Saidi reported to police at the Kilimani police station and complained at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority that the officers beat him up at the junction of Kingara Road and Ngong Road on Tuesday morning.

This was during a road rage incident in which the two bodyguards together with a driver overlapped and tried to force other motorists to pave way for them.

Saidi said he was with his driver and his seven-year-old son whom he was escorting to the nearby Riara School at about 7.30 am when the incident happened.

“They punched me on the nose and chin and one held my leg as they beat me up in front of my son and driver. When they saw blood, they run back to their car and drove off,” said Saidi.

Sudi was not in the car at the time of the incident. The bodyguards were rushing to his Karen home in a four-wheel drive car to pick him up when the drama broke out as other motorists also watched.

According to Saidi who has since been issued with a police P3 form that allows police to arrest and charge accused persons with assault, the two bodyguards were infuriated after he refused to give way for them.

“They had used the wrong way blocking the flow of vehicles before one of them stepped out while totting a walkie-talkie directing the motorists to give way for them to pass. My driver refused to give way and when I asked him why they were breaking the law, he started to beat me up before his colleague and driver joined.”

As the drama went on according to Saidi, a traffic police officer who was directing vehicles at a nearby junction ran away after he thought the officers were thugs who were trying to rob a motorist.

The attackers apparently drove off from the scene after other motorists who had all along watched in disbelieve and helplessly had also left giving way and after they saw Saidi bleed.

He was later treated at the AAR clinic along Ngong Road and issued with a police report.

Saidi said he wants action be taken on the officials.

His lawyer Ahmedinassir Abdulahi said he is waiting to see the next steps to be taken by the authorities on the officers before he also acts.

He said many motorists are abused and assaulted by bodyguards escorting what he termed as “so-called VIPs” and vowed to ensure the trend ends.

“This madness must end and people should respect the law. We hope the concerned authorities will take action soonest possible,” said Ahmedinassir.

He added they had researched and established who the attackers were and that the MP had tried to reach his client for reconciliation.

Sudi’s mobile phone was switched off for the better part of the day.

Kilimani OCPD Peter Katam confirmed the businessman had complained of being assaulted by two unknown people.

Officials at IPOA too said they are investigating the incident with a view of taking action on the said officers.

Under the law, it is only a police car with a siren, ambulances and fire engines that have a right of way.