We are ready to take the bullet over Mau, says Senator

Senate Justice Legal Affairs and Human Right Chairman who is also Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei speaking to the press in Eldoret. [Peter Ochieng/Standard]

Elected leaders in Rift Valley will go to any heights to defend families targeted in Mau evictions, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has said.

Speaking at Parliament Buildings yesterday, the lawmaker, who was recently arrested over inciting remarks, alleged systematic harassment and intimidation of leaders vocal against the evictions that are set to affect about 60,000 families in the Mau Forest.

He claimed his arrest and subsequent interrogation were because of his stand on the emotive evictions.

“The State may continue harassing and intimidating elected leaders as they wish, but we shall not stand and watch them go for ordinary citizens as is the case currently in Mau,” Mr Cherargei said.

“If the establishment wants to send a message of whatever nature, please come for us elected leaders as you have lately been doing. We are ready to take the bullet on behalf of those who elected us.”

The lawmaker challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to come clean on the matter that has since snowballed into fodder for politicians in the affected areas. Cherargei, who chairs Legal and Human Rights Committee, announced that they had summoned Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to appear before it next Wednesday.