- He presented himself on Thursday.
- He had been summoned to appear before the detectives at the Nakuru DCI regional offices on June 2.
Image: COURTESY
A Kericho ward representative who was on Thursday detained by detectives in Nakuru in connection to the invasion of multinational tea farms is set to be arraigned.
Kapsoit MCA Paul Chirchir 'Tarimbo' was locked up after presenting himself for questioning.
Chirchir is among the several politicians from Bomet and Kericho who are under investigation over a failed fluke by residents in the farms.
Several tea plucking machines belonging to Ekaterra have been torched by the locals protesting over mechanisation.
His lawyer, Kimutai Bosek, confirmed the arrest.
"We are yet to understand the reason behind his arrest yet he has honoured the summon issued," said Bosek.
He was expected to appear before the detectives at the regional office on June 2.
"My client requested to have the date rescheduled because he had some important matters to attend to on that day," he added.
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai who was accompanied by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei was questioned on June 6 for more than four hours before being released.
Others who have been summoned are Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat among six other MCAs.
"Detectives wanted to know what I did to stop the violence at Brooke trading center in Ainamoi," Langat told journalists after being grilled.
Detectives are seeking to level charges against some individuals who are said to be behind the burning down of tea-plucking machines belonging to Ekaterra in Kericho and Bomet.
"I have reasons to believe that you are connected or can provide information that is useful to the investigation," reads one of the letters date June 2.
"Failure to honor this summon will render you liable to prosecution under section 52(2) of the National Police Act of 2011."
The summons was issued after Interior CS Kindiki Kithure issued accused politicians from the region of allegedly inciting the residents.
“Our investigations are leading us to political and business leaders who are supporting anarchy, looting and lawlessness in multi-national tea farms,” said Kindiki.
"They will be required to record statements before the respective County Security and Intelligence Committees in the coming days,” he added.
He also announced the government would deploy more security officers in the troubled tea farms to prevent criminal activities.
Ekaterra Tea has since suspended all its operations in the two counties citing rising insecurity.