Kenyewa/Poka Ward representative, Henry Kimiti was freed Friday on a Sh100, 000 bond by a Kajiado court in a case of incitement to violence.
According to the prosecution, the MCA is alleged to have stormed the Kibini mining quarry in Mashuru Sub-county a week ago and incited members of one community to chase away non-locals from the quarry.
Kimiti was also being charged with unlawful assembly at the mining plant with an intention of evicting non-locals from the said factory without a permit issued by lawful authority.
The MCA was arrested Thursday evening by officers from DCI and was locked in at Kajiado police station.
He was presented to court on Friday before Magistrate Becky Cheloti where he denied both counts of incitement to violence and unlawful assembly and was released on a Sh 100,000 bond.
The case will again be mentioned on February 11 with the hearing scheduled for February 20.
His arrest led to demonstration by angry residents of Kenyewa/poka ward vowing to paralyze all operations at the Kibini Mining quarry.
However local politicians led by Nominated Senator Mary Seneta vowed to protect the interests of all Kajiado residents regardless of their ethnicity.
“It is important that as leaders we pursue the example of our top leaders to embrace each other irrespective of our political differences since we are all seeking solutions to ensure that our people benefit from all activities that companies within the county are undertaking,” said Seneta.
“We are the custodians of the raw natural resources therefore these companies should treat our people as required by the law,” she added.
However, the leaders took a swipe at some of their colleagues saying that harassment and intimidation will not yield any tangible result in the quest for solutions.
“The reason as to why we were elected is because we have to dialogue and seek for solutions to the problems that our people are facing,” Kajiado West MP George Sunkuiya said.
Sunkuiya pleaded with the elected leaders to hold roundtable sitting to discuss the issues affecting their electorate, arguing that it will bring lasting solutions to the problems being experienced in the area.
“The corridors of courts together with the police will not solve what is ailing our people and as leaders we need to come together,” reiterated the National Assembly legislator.
Outraged Olosirkon Sholinke MCA Francis Kaesha, condemned the arrest and called on government agencies to use dialogue as political leaders strive to safeguard the interest of their people.
The management of Portland Cement Company has been at logger heads with several leaders including Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko and MCAs after the company sent home 600 employees without their pay mid last year due to dwindling profits and corruption allegations in the company.
By Nelly Kosgey and Albert Lemomo
