Nandi governor Stephen Sang has dispelled rumors doing rounds on social media and other news outlets that he has been arrested.
In a press statement last Sunday, the County Communications Director, Gideon Cise, said the governor was resting with his family at home and not held at Kondele Police Station in Kisumu as the rumors purported.
“The governor is not aware of any warrant of arrest or summons to appear before any investigative agencies. Rumors going round that he has been arrested are baseless and unfounded,” read part of the statement.
Sang has been on the spot for forcefully repossessing four acres of land claimed to be property of Kaburet Community in Nandi Hills, and which was meant for the construction of a cattle dip.
“Kibwari Tea Estate maliciously destroyed the cattle dip that had existed for 13 years and took the land, planted tea and annexed to their estate,” Cise added.
The said community (Kaburet) sought the help of the county government to recover their public utility land. This prompted the governor to repossess the land last Friday by uprooting the tea and immediately ordered for the construction of a new cattle dip to be completed in a month’s time.
Meanwhile, five Nandi Mp’s Julius Melly (Tinderet), Cornelius Seem ( Aldai), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Wilson Kogo (Chesumei), Vincent Tuwei (Mosop) together with Senator Samson Cherargei have so far condemned the governor’s act of taking the law into his hands to personally uproot the tea using a power saw and the county machinery.
Addressing members of the press after a church service at St. Barnabas ACK in Kapsabet the MPs said they support proper use of law to pursue cases of land injustices.
“The Governor acted immaturely and in total disregard of the law by invading Kibwari tea estate,” said Melly.
On his part, Keter said matters of land are sensitive and must be addressed with wisdom and caution.
By Bethsheba Abuya
