Nandi governor Stephen Sang arrested over destruction of tea farm

Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang has been arrested.

Sang was apprehended by police on Sunday, bringing an end to several hours of pursuit by police.

Reports indicate that the governor, along with two MCAs (David Koech and Gideon Koech) were arrested on Sunday afternoon in Elgeyo Marakwet County and afterwards transfered to Kisumu where they are being held.

The three who are currently in police custody at Kondele Police Station in Kisumu could face charges of malicious damage to property.

His arrest is in relation to Friday’s events in which he was caught on camera leading the public in destroying tea and harrassing the management of a tea farm in Nandi County.

Nandi County Police Commander Thomas Ngeiywa had earlier confirmed that police were pursuing the governor.

“We are looking for the governor who was at the tea estate on Friday evening and part of yesterday where some 1 acre of mature tea was destroyed,” Ngeiywa said on Saturday.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang leading locals in destroying a tea plantation in Kibwari, Nandi Hills

Sang led a team of county officials and residents in storming the tea estate where tea bushes were allegedly destroyed, roughing up an employee of the farm in what he claimed is an effort to repossess some four acre piece of land allegedly grabbed from the community.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang leading residents in cutting and uprooting tea on the disputed piece of land on 7 June 2019

During the raid, Sang’s team was armed with a power saw and a caterpillar the governor led his team in uprooting of the cash crop.

“We are here as a County Government in response to a complaint that was raised by members of this community about this four acre piece of land that used to serve as a cattle dip that they built using their own money,” Said Sang.

His actions were faulted by several leaders including Nandi County Police Commander Thomas Ngeiywa who stated that “People need to sort out issues through legal manner rather than resorting to destruction”.