Senator Stephen Sang tells Nandi governor off over protests

By RAEL JELIMO

NANDI COUNTY: Nandi Senator Stephen arap Sang has condemned the violence meted out on demonstrating civil society groups in Kapsabet.

The senator said the county government had no right to allow its supporters to attack the civil society groups which were exercising their constitutional right.

Led by Nandi Transparency Group, the groups held demonstrations in Kapsabet on Tuesday last week to protest against the administration of the county governor Cleophas Lagat.

Goons allegedly hired by the county government descended on the demonstrating groups with crude weapons, seriously injuring majority of the demonstrators including the main organiser, Kiprotich Samson Cherargei.

“We have seen people demonstrate to State House and nobody harms them. Civil groups try to exercise their constitutional right in our counties and you hire goons to beat them up. This is improper,” said the senator.

SUPERIORITY WARS

Senator Sang, who was speaking in Kapsabet called on the police to conduct investigations into the matter and apprehend the perpetrators of the injustice.

This comes amid calls for unity among the leadership in the troubled county.

Open rivalry between Sang and Lagat has seen development in the county threatened as the two leaders waged superiority wars.

The strained relations between the two leaders were caused by the ‘Sang Bill’. The bill also known as the County Development Boards Bill was proposed by the Nandi senator to the displeasure of Lagat who felt the senator was out to usurp his power in the county.

“I agree as a leader to unite with the rest of the leaders but under one condition; the county government shows its commitment to be accountable. I will not be part of a corrupt system,” said Senator Sang.

The eagerly awaited President and Deputy President’s visit to the county on Friday was unceremoniously cancelled and rescheduled for May.

NO VACANCY

Governor Lagat accuses his political rival, Ambassador Stephen Tarus, of funding and supporting demonstrations to impeach him saying the 2013 gubernatorial aspirant was out to disrupt his government.

“I am sending word to all people that think that there is a vacancy at the office of the Nandi governor. There is no vacancy,” said the Nandi Governor.