Nandi governor Stephen Sang’s case took a new twist on Tuesday morning after Chief Magistrate Julias Ng’arng’ar who is based at Kisumu declined to handle the governor’s case.
Ng’arg’ar kept off Sang’s case citing the relationship they have with the first term governor as the main reason. The governor spent the night at Kisumu central police cells before appearing before the courts on Tuesday morning.
This was after a dramatic arrest at Kapsabet DCI offices where the governor had gone to record statement days after he led a section of Nandi county residents and county officials in clearing and reclaiming Kibwari Tea Estate which according to the governor was a public land grabbed by an individual
Mr. Ng’arng’ar maintained that it was wise for him not involve himself in the case since it would amount to a conflict of interest. Sang will be charged with two accounts, Malicious damage of property and incitement to violence.
Chief Magistrate Julias Ng'arng'ar has distanced himself from handling governor Stephen Sang's case citing the relationship they have with the governor #KTNNewsCentre @Michellengele pic.twitter.com/RRtrlQQm1u
— ktn (@KTNKenya) June 11, 2019
Riots ensued on Monday morning at Kapsabet town after the supporters of the governor tried to block the detectives from arresting their governor and taking him for questioning at Kisumu central police station.
Police were forced to lob tear gas canisters at the rowdy supporters as they escorted Sang out of Kapsabet under tight security. The governor was forced to spend the night at the station after efforts to release him failed to yield fruits.
NANDI GOVERNOR Stephen Sang, who spent the night in cell, presented in a Kisumu court after police said they did not receive order to free him. pic.twitter.com/1HIUOTWPPY
— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) June 11, 2019
Earlier on Monday afternoon, Eldoret High Court Judge Stephen Githinji had issued orders to the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Criminal Investigations and the Director of Public Prosecution stopping the police from arresting, prosecuting or questioning Sang following an application by the governor’s lawyer, Prof Tom Ojienda.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang arrested following the destruction of Kibwari tea Estate. pic.twitter.com/kv7hHsOGcm
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 10, 2019
Among those who drove to Kisumu central police station to try and negotiate Sang’s release included his ally, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who pitched camp at the station until Monday midnight.
Murkomen had earlier on opposed Sang’s arrest claiming the Governor was within the law and was carrying out President Uhuru’s directive to reclaim all the grabbed public lands.
Kapseret Member of parliament Oscar Sudi was also among those leaders who accompanied Sang as he appeared at the dock on Tuesday morning.
Before his arrest, there were many speculations that the governor had gone into hiding following the incident. This was after the governor learned of an impending arrest. Despite this, the governor dismissed the claims saying nobody was after him and that he was going to present himself in person at the station.
LIVE: Nandi governor Stephen Sang arraigned in court #KTNNewsCentre @Michellengele pic.twitter.com/fZy9z4Siyk
— ktn (@KTNKenya) June 11, 2019
A section of leaders from the region being led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut had supported the arrest saying the governor had no mandate to destroy the properties instead of following the due process.
Cherargei and Sang have not been in good terms after the vocal Senator accused his counterpart of misusing and looting Nandi county resources. Their cold relationship is also attributed to the fact that Cherargei is positioning to unseat Sang as the county’s governor in 2022.