Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, has strongly condemned the assault and forceful ejection of Mumias East MP Peter Salasya from Nyayo Stadium during Kenya’s FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Gabon on Sunday, March 23.
Salasya, who was among thousands of football fans attending the crucial match, was chased out of the stadium in chaotic scenes that were captured in viral videos.
Footage shows the MP being roughed up by a section of the crowd before being forcibly directed towards the stadium’s exit.
Some individuals attempted to grab and attack him, while another threw what appeared to be a plastic container at him. The altercation spilled into the stadium parking area, where supporters surrounded him, urging him to leave.
While the exact cause of the incident remains unclear, some fans were heard chanting “Respect the President,” suggesting the clash may have been triggered by remarks or actions by the MP regarding President William Ruto, who was also in attendance at the match after earlier appearing at the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Naivasha.
Shortly after the incident, Salasya took to social media, writing, “I didn’t want to commit blood in my hands. I had options, but I chose peace.”
Mudavadi condemned the attack, terming it an act of political intolerance that goes against the principles of democracy.
“What happened to Peter Salasya at Nyayo Stadium today is unfortunate. Political intolerance undermines the very foundation of our democracy, which relies on the ability to engage with differing views,” Mudavadi said.
He further emphasized the importance of respect, dialogue, and unity, urging Kenyans to reject division and embrace maturity in political discourse.
“We won’t always agree, and that’s okay. But respect, dialogue, and unity must remain non-negotiable. Respect must be given, but it must also be earned. A house divided cannot stand. Let’s choose reason over chaos and maturity over noise. Kenya’s future depends on it,” he added.
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