Msambweni poll: MP Mohamed Ali accuses Joho of assault

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali is pictured at Diani Police Station after recording a statement, following a scuffle at the Jomo Kenyatta Primary School polling centre, during the by-election in Msambweni,  Kwale County, on December 15, 2020.

Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali Tuesday recorded a statement with police after chaos erupted at Jomo Kenyatta Primary School during the Msambweni by-election.

In the report filed at Diani Police Station, Mr Ali said he was attacked and his vehicle damaged by people allied to Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

Mr Joho’s Chief of Staff, Joab Tumbo, said he could not comment on the matter.

In his statement seen by the Nation, Mr Ali said he was attacked while leaving the polling station.

"I was walking out when Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his youths suddenly confronted me. He punched me and I fell to the ground, hurting my knees," he said.

Weapons

The MP also said that as he headed to his vehicle, the Joho team followed him and damaged his car. He said his back seat window was smashed and the right side mirror destroyed.

Mr Ali further claimed the youths were armed with knives and batons.

"The person in command was Governor Hassan Ali Joho. We fled the scene but they followed us in their cars, " he claimed.

Mr Ali also said Mr Joho's brother Said Abdallah Saido confronted him at the polling station.

A video seen by the Nation shows the two -- Mr Abdullah and Mr Ali -- in an altercation before police intervene.

The MP noted that he could not record the statement at Msambweni Police Station as the rival group was chasing after him.