MP Salasya summoned over assault claims

By Peter Ochieng

Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kalerwa Salasya has been summoned by his Party over claims of physically assaulting a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) in Kakamega county.

The youthful first term legislature will appear before Democratic Action Party (DAP) Kenya leadership on Tuesday.

Party leader Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa during an interview on Spice FM on Monday morning, said the MP may be dealing with anger issues.

"We have called him and he is appearing before court tomorrow and after that, he will be coming to meet the party leadership. He is a fearless leader who fought for Mumias Sugar and his people. But he needs to manage some of the issues he is being blamed for," said Wamalwa, former defense Cabinet Secretary (CS).

He said the Party will assist the vocal MP to become a better leader, having fought 'with bare hands' to become a lawmaker at a young age.

"Salaysa had a big dream. He fought with nothing, bare hands and won to become a Member of Parliament."

Last week, the MP was arrested after allegedly physically assaulting an MCA during a funeral ceremony.

Salasya was released on Sh50,000 cash bail pending his arraignment in court on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

In a video widely circulated online, the MP is heard ordering the MCA to sit down.

The MCA apparently disregards his order, before the MP takes a step and slaps the County legislature, as a fight ensures.

They are quickly separated by some of the people present. He denied assaulting the MCA.

It was not the first ugly incident to involve the Member of Parliament.

In November 2023, the controversial MP was ejected from a church function attended by among others, Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa.

He was roughed up by goons after he claimed that Barasa was not lobbying and facilitating the revival of Mumias Sugar Company.

Barasa later castigated the people of Mumias East for electing 'a boy.'

“We need to respect the leaders who have come to help us fundraise for the church. Speaker Moses Wetangula while you were away there were chaos because of a boy we elected in Mumias East. I take this opportunity to apologise to our visitors on behalf of Mumias East because they made a mistake by electing a clueless boy.”

“Who comes to church and starts a fight and then runs away before making a donation?” asked the governor.