11 to be charged in Kericho, Bomet tea estates wrangles, Kindiki says
Eleven suspects of violent conflicts in Kericho and Bomet counties tea estates wrangles have been arrested and will be charged in court, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said.
While speaking in Eldoret on Wednesday, Kindiki said Security and Intelligence teams have also narrowed on other key suspects who are still at large and who include political leaders and businessmen inciting members of the public to engage in acts of violence, looting and destruction of property.
In the past three weeks conflicts have escalated in several tea farms over disagreement on the use of tea-picking machines and related issues.
Nine green leaf plucking machines and trucks at Ekaterra Company in Kericho County have been torched, according to the Kindiki.
Motor vehicles, including one for the police and private tractors, have also been damaged in unlawful acts of wanton destruction of property.
The CS said five police officers, one journalist and a youth were injured during the violent protests, businesses around Brooke Shopping Centre were severely disrupted as well as traffic flow along the Nakuru-Kericho Highway.
Acts of violence in Kericho County in the last two days follow similar violent protests witnessed in the neighboring Bomet County a week ago, where six (6) Police Officers were attacked and seriously injured by youths who were illegally harvesting tea at James Finlay tea Company farm.
“On the basis of what has now become a pattern of violence and destruction of property in Kericho and Bomet Counties in the last few days and in previous months, the National Police Service has rightfully and lawfully determined that the protests pose clear, present and imminent danger to public order,” Kindiki said.
” The unfolding situation in these two Counties portends grave danger to the rule of law, peace and stability. The violence, looting, burning and destruction of public and private property, disruption of daily activities and assaulting security officers are criminal acts that must cease.”