Jubilee MPs now claim Didmus Barasa ‘hospitalised in South Africa’ following Kibra rough-up

By Rose Gakuo

A section of Jubilee MPs now claim Kimilili lawmaker, Didmus Barasa, is receiving treatment in South Africa after he was roughed in Kibra last Thursday.

In a press conference held in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 12, Kikuyu lawmaker, Kimani Ichung’wa, alleged that Barasa was “injected with an unknown substance” during the rough-up.

“They [ODM leaders] claim they did not sponsor any violence against Jubilee-allied leaders and supporters. McDonald Mariga, who ran for the Kibra parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket, visited at least ten people, who were [allegedly] injured by ODM supporters,” said Ichung’wa, who spoke on behalf of the Jubilee-allied lawmakers.

Other legislators who were present at the press conference are Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Caleb Kositany (Soy), among others.

Our attempts to reach Barasa on phone Tuesday afternoon were futile as his phone remained switched off.

In a quick rejoinder later Tuesday afternoon, ODM refuted the Jubilee MPs’ allegations, instead pointing an accusing finger at Jubilee leaders.

Led by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, the ODM-allied lawmakers said Ruto-affiliated leaders sponsored the chaos, and, that what transpired in Kibra is a curtain-raiser of the tactics “they are planning to use in 2022”.

“Democracy should reign during elections. Tanga Tanga team wreaked havoc in Kibra,” said nominated MP Wilson Sossion.

Others who attended the ODM MPs’ press briefing are: Simba Arati (Dagoretti North), Tom Joseph Kajwang (Ruaraka), among others.