Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali’s bodyguard Paul Wanyama was on Monday charged in a Kisumu court with attempted robbery.
Mr Wanyama was arrested on Friday night alongside the MP’s driver, Clement Sakwa, near Star Hospital in Kisumu.
The police had saved the duo from a mob that had descended on them after they attempted to commit robbery with violence using Mr Wanyama’s official firearm.
The driver, Mr Sakwa, was not in court on Monday to plead to the charges as he is undergoing treatment at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital after being clobbered by the mob.
Mr Wanyama denied the charges of a plot to commit a felony of robbery with violence and another of using his Ceska Pistol unlawfully and without permission. He was released on bond.
He appeared before Kisumu chief magistrate Jesse Nyagah.
Mr Washiali had on Sunday distanced himself from the two, saying he had them at his rural home as he travelled Nairobi.
The MP said the two were therefore not on official duty in Kisumu at the time of the incident.
“I was with them (Wanyama and Sakwa) on Friday and I left them at home and travelled to Nairobi,” said Mr Washiali.
The arrest and charging of the police officer comes amidst growing discontent by Kisumu over rising insecurity in the lakeside city.
