Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has been released on a Kshs 1 million bond and surety of a similar amount or an alternative Kshs 500,000 cash bail. The Governor was arraigned at a Kisumu court and pleaded not guilty to malicious damage of property, abuse of office, and incitement to violence charges. The Nandi Governor is embroiled in the infamous Kibwari tea plantation farm case, where he uprooted and destroyed tea bushes at the tea farm in Nandi, accompanied by residents last week in a land he alleged was grabbed. He was then summoned by the Kapsabet DCI and surrendered at the Kapsabet DCI office to record a statement on Monday.
After interrogation, he was then taken to a police vehicle and whisked away to Kisumu. Governor Sang spent the night in police custody before being arraigned in court on Tuesday. However, the Chief Magistrate Julius Ngar said he was unable to handle the case due to his relationship with the Governor and referred the case to another magistrate.
The magistrate dismissed an application seeking to halt the Governor’s plea taking and facing charges.
After the court session, Governor Sang said he is disappointed with those who say he has broken the law, “How will you say you are enforcing the law, yet you are breaking the law?” he posed. He said a court order was issued on Monday barring his prosecution but police officers didn’t want to take the court order, “It shows the same law enforcers are operating with impunity. He said his case was being steered by top officials, adding that the corrupt dealings going on at the top security offices including the IG’s office must stop. He said he was shocked that he was arraigned in court for fighting for reclaiming stolen land, “Between the one who reclaims the land and he who steals it, who is supposed to be in court?”