A case involving a manager at Deputy President William Ruto's Taita Taveta farm has taken a fresh twist following a showdown between the police and the county government.
According to a report by The Standard, Arie Dampers, a South African national, who was arrested on Friday, January 31, was released after the police could no longer continue holding him.
Dampers had been arrested after an investigation by Taita Taveta Water and Sewerage Company (Tavevo) disclosed that he had illegally connected water into the farm.
Quoting County Police Commander Said Kiprotich, the publication noted that the suspect was released on bond and that the police were waiting for the state to prosecute him.
“We are still waiting for the county government to tell us what to do with the case because it has its own by-laws.
“We have done our part. The ball now lies with the county administration,” stated the commander.
Taita-Taveta County Government, on the other hand, argued that the responsibility of prosecuting the suspect lies with the police.
“The suspect is out on bond based on some charges. The county administration has no powers over the issue. The matter is in the hands of the police. They are the ones to decide on the next course of action,” stated the county's communication spokesman Dennis Onsarigo.
Tavevo explained that it had not pressed any charges against Dampers because 'there are procedures to be followed."
The man was nabbed after the sewerage company carried a day-long inspection of the 1000-acre farm over illegal activities.
The investigations claimed that the farm had diverted water meant for residents to the DP's property.
