Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali has revisited a controversial video that surfaced online showing him slapping and kicking a man.
Speaking on Sunday after resurfacing following reports of his disappearance, the MP downplayed the implications of the video.
He appeared to offer justification for his actions, saying that his actions were a response to pilferage that was responsible for the downward spiral that the Mumias Sugar Company has found itself in.
"You know should find out first of all what it is what this person has done before they implicate me because Mumia Sugar is down now and it is down because of pilferage some of which was caused by people who were siphoning fuel," the legislator said. (15:46-16:08)
A section of social media users called for the outspoken governing Jubilee chief whip to step down as his actions were inconsistent with what is expected of an elected official.
In the video, that went viral, the legislator is seen with a group other people confronting a man with kicks and blows.
Washiali's contention that the victim of his attack had engaged in pilferage has yet to be independently verified as no media house has been able to get hold of the man who was assaulted.