Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi records statement over assault claims

South East Alego Chief Joseph Ojala receiving treatment at a private hospital in Siaya town. [Olivia Odhiambo, Standard]

Police in Siaya are hunting for Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi over claims he assaulted South East Alego senior chief Joseph Ojala.

Ojala who was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Siaya town claimed that the MP together with his bodyguards assaulted him at his home in Kogelo on Wednesday.

The chief accused the legislator and his bodyguards of beating him, claiming that he had incited youths to heckle him at a previous function held at Una Primary School, South East Alego.

"I was just from town where I had gone to run some personal errands. When I returned, just before the first gate, I saw four vehicles parked so I proceeded to the house but before I could go a few meters, I saw about 15 people coming towards me. Among them was the MP," he narrated.

The chief said the group then greeted him and inquired if his wife was around.

"I said she was around and asked him to get inside but he turned me down. He then asked me to accompany him to his function at the school.”

Ojala said the MP asked him to ride in his car to the function but he declined and insisted to use his own car.

"I immediately felt something was not right and changed my mind about accompanying him to the function but it did not augur well with him. He then grabbed me and ordered the people he was with to take me to the car," the chief recalled.

He noted that one of the security men tried to push him forcefully inside the car as the MP watched.

The chief said with the help of his sons who were from school and the screaming of some students, he overpowered the group.

Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

But, the MP denied assaulting the chief claiming those were mere allegations.

"None of my boys has engaged in any assault. Public administrators should never engage in politics. The alleged incident should be investigated and the culprits apprehended," Atandi said.

Siaya OCPD Chris Ben said the MP recorded a statement at Kogelo Police post claiming he was roughed on Wednesday.