DPP wants chief arrested over incitement, damage of property in Kisii

Part of the KeNHA's Suneka Substation where a group of youths destroyed crops, structures and trees on July 5. [Eric Abuga, Standard]

The Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) office has ordered for the arrest of a Kisii chief over incitement and malicious damage to property.

Bomorenda Location chief John Okendo and three others, John Bosire, Machina and a man only identified as Kichwa are being accused of inciting residents to violence on July 5 at Suneka area, Bonchari Sub County.

Okendo also faces charges of abuse of office contrary to section 101 (1) as read with section 102 A of the penal code.

In a letter dated September 24, 2019, and signed by Prosecution Counsel Hillary Kaino on behalf of the DPP, the accused will help to in identifying those who destroyed the property and trees belonging to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)

Other than incitement, they are accused of destroying property worth Sh390,000 (crops, trees and structures) at the Suneka KeNHA Substation.

According to the DPP, the property in dispute (the Kisii/Wanjare/Bomorenda/99) and (Kisii/Wanjare/Bomorenda/168) was occupied by KeNHA upon the enactment of the Roads Act 2007.

Initially, the land was occupied by the Ministry of Roads and Public Works from 1976.

"There has been a dispute between local authorities and the Ministry of Public Works. National Physical Liason committee handed the ownership to Ministry of Public Works in 2003," reads part of the letter from the DPP.

"Having discussed the facts in this matter, we recommend the arrest of the said suspects who incited the public to commit the offences to help in investigations," said the DPP.

More than 100 youths raided the camp and destroyed the said properties in July.

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