Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa on Thursday fired back at Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli following the latter’s remarks that he will not allow a parallel meeting to one scheduled at Bukhungu Stadium.
In video footage uploaded by Daily Nation on YouTube, the MP tore into Atwoli saying he had no powers to hold them under house arrest as he claimed.
While taking swipe at him, Barasa accused Atwoli of being a wife snatcher claiming that the COTU SG was planning to use their wives in holding them hostage.
“If you go to Kakamega meeting with your wife make sure her face is covered just the way Muslims cover their face so that Atwoli doesn’t notice your wife because if he does you will go home without her.
“I heard him saying that he has the list of those who will be going to the Mumias meeting and that he will put us under house arrest and he said that the first arresting officer will be our wives.
“I was so afraid that I went and search Atwoli’s name at my wife’s phone… and lucky enough I didn’t find his name there… I am even worried that when I am here that my wife can go missing.
“Lucky enough my wife is a heavy one whom you must carry with both hands, I hear that he prefers those who are not heavy and that is my only reprieve,” said Barasa.
The remarks by the MP comes in the wake of looming tension in Kakamega county after two groups dared each other to try holding a separate meeting.
On Tuesday, Atwoli cautioned a list of Western MPs from holding a meeting in Mumias anding that they will not be allowed to leave their houses until the BBI consultative meeting set to be held at Bukhung Stadium comes to an end.
The sentiments were backed by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala who said he won’t allow any meeting to be held in Kakamega apart from the Bukhungu one.
In an apparent boost to Atwoli’s orders, Mumias OCS Albert Chebii cancelled permits for the Mumias meeting saying their officers will be providing security to the Buhkhungu meeting thus suspending the Mumias one.
The organizers of Mumias meeting including former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, former Sports CS Rashid Echesa and Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali swore that they will go on with their meeting as planned.
The leaders termed the cancellation of the meeting as a mark of impunity saying it was a clear violation of the freedom of association.