Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei/HANDOUTNandi Senator Samson Cherargei has criticised what he termed a growing and “unfortunate narrative” linking attacks on political leaders to the alleged involvement of women.
Cherargei said such claims are misleading, unfair, and divert from the real issues of insecurity and political intolerance.
Speaking during a Senate plenary session, Cherargei expressed concern over commentary surrounding the recent attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, where some reports and social media speculation suggested that the incident may have been linked to a personal relationship involving a woman.
Cherargei dismissed the claims as baseless and urged leaders and the public to avoid sensationalising violent incidents involving public officials.
“I went and saw Senator Osotsi; he was shining like foil paper after being attacked by goons,” Cherargei said in the House, referring to the injuries the senator sustained during the assault.
“We should stop this narrative that whenever a politician or a leader is attacked, there are always claims a woman was involved.”
The senator further warned that such narratives risk tarnishing innocent individuals and shifting attention away from accountability for perpetrators of violence.
“It is very unfortunate that somebody innocent, who was sitting with Osotsi, is now being branded,” he added.
Cherargei also used the opportunity to highlight broader concerns about the safety of elected leaders, warning that the attack on Osotsi should serve as a wake-up call on rising insecurity.
“No one is safe because we have shown you can attack a Member of Parliament,” he said. “If we do not speak against hooliganism, do not think that because you are in government, nothing can happen to you.”
His remarks come amid heightened political tension following the April 8, 2026, attack on Senator Osotsi in Kisumu town.
The senator was assaulted after visiting the Acacia area in Kisumu County, where he had reportedly stopped at a barbershop before proceeding to a restaurant.
It was at the restaurant where he was confronted and attacked by unidentified individuals.
Osotsi sustained injuries in the incident and was rushed for medical attention before being airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment. The attack sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders across the country, who described it as an assault on democratic space and the safety of elected officials.
Security agencies have since launched investigations into the incident, with calls growing for swift action to identify and prosecute those responsible.
In response to speculation linking the attack to a personal matter, Osotsi firmly rejected the claims, terming them misleading and politically motivated.
He dismissed suggestions of a love triangle, insisting that the incident had no connection to his private life.
“It was not a love triangle; I have a beautiful wife. Even if I wanted to do love, I cannot do it in the open,” Osotsi said.
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