Mayor writes to Tobiko over assault

By CYRUS OMBATI

Nakuru Mayor Mohamed Suraw has protested the delay by police to take action on some of his colleagues who assaulted him during a meeting at the local municipal offices early in the week.

Suraw has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko, Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere and minister of local government Fred Gumo naming five of the councilors who assaulted him before breaking property in his office.

He also claimed his life is in danger and asked for police protection saying the individuals who beat him up had sworn to finish him.

He said despite his pleas to the police bosses in Nairobi to give him armed escort, nothing has been done in the last year.

“They want me to beg them for my right. I know those who want to harm me are capable of their mission and I am a refugee for now yet am the mayor of Nakuru,” he said.

Suraw drove to Nairobi to drop the letters to the offices as he accused police in Nakuru of taking sides in the case in the case.

At police headquarters, deputy police spokesman Charles Owino said he had spoken to the Rift Valley CID boss Samuel Nyabengi regarding the mayor’s complaints and promised action will be taken in the coming weeks.

“I have talked to the CID boss and he has said the file on the case will be sent to the DPP for advice. It is clear there was a criminal offence that was committed in the fracas,” said Owino.

Councilors clashed at the local office during an aborted meeting that was supposed to elect new chairmen leaving Suraw with serious injuries.

Property was also broken during the meeting and Suraw has named five councilors including his deputy as those who assaulted him and destroyed valuables.

He had a bracelet around his neck when he visited Vigilance House and the DPP’s office. He said despite him obtaining a P3 form over the assault, police are reluctant in taking action.

“The OCPD has virtually instructed his juniors not to take any action. It is like they are taking sides and not serving us equally because of our tribes and political affiliations,” said Suraw.

But Owino said police are non partisan in their work and vowed to pursue the issue to the end to ensure justice for all.

He said Nyabengi had informed him another councilor has also obtained a P3 form claiming the mayor assaulted him. He, however, said action will be taken.