Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has broken his silence after appearing before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday January 23,2024.
Salasya appeared before EACC at the Integrity Center for grilling following his controversial attack on a Kakamega Member of County Assembly (MCA) on January 12, 2024.
While speaking after the grilling, the first time MP noted that he will not allow any institution in the country to intimidate him.
“We are saying we will respect the Constitution, but we will not accept any institution to intimidate other hardworking young people like Peter Salasya,” the MP stated.
The lawmaker further stated that the role of keeping MPs in check is mandated to the appointing authority who in this case are his Mumias East constituents.
“I’m the first politician to be brought before EACC due to assault allegations. That’s not the role of EACC keeping MPs in check,” he said.
According to reports, Salasya arrived at the Integrity Center accompanied by five lawyers, but only one was allowed into the interrogation room.
EACC Summons Salasya
EACC summoned the parliamentarian over the assault of MCA Peter Walunya during a burial ceremony in Kakamega county.
In a letter issued by the commission’s CEO Twalib Mbarak on January 16, the MP was asked to appear before the commission on January 23.
On its part, the ethics commission said it had launched investigations into the matter and if found guilty appropriate action would be taken against the MP as per the law.
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“The commission has launched investigations into the matter intending to take appropriate action in line with our mandate under the law.
To this end, you are required to appear at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s offices at Integrity Centre, Nairobi on Tuesday 23rd January 2024, for an interview and statement recording,” the letter addressed to the MP reads in part.
The first-time parliamentarian however downplayed the summon arguing that his case was in court, hence should not be handled by the ethics commission.
The MP Accuses Governor
He further accused Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa of being the cause of his predicament during a public gathering on Sunday, January 21.
Also Read: Mumias Mp Salasya Blames Senior Politician for His Attack
“I know the person doing this is one (Governor Barasa). I want to tell the governor to do his job and let me do mine, and I respect you, stop frustrating me.
“My only problem was KMTC and Mumias Sugar. I have let him be,” the MP stated.
However, Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe argued that it was rightful for EACC to summon Salasya since the body is mandated to oversight conduct of public servants.
“EACC is not summoning on corruption, it is on ethics. We must put things to order,” Wangwe argued during his address on the same stage.
According to the commission, Salasya’s conduct constituted serious issues that would amount to a serious breach of integrity and ethical requirements governing the conduct of state officers.