By John Mutiso
Chwele/Kabuchai Ward MCA-elect Eric Wekesa has been summoned by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers to appear at Kapsabet Police Station in Nandi County over allegations of coffee theft in the Tinderet area.
Speaking on Monday, December 1, Wekesa said the allegations are alarming, especially because he insists he has no ties to coffee farming or business and has never set foot in the region where the alleged offence occurred.
“I received a call yesterday from someone who introduced himself as a DCI officer, telling me to go to Nandi County because I am required there over an offence related to coffee,” he said.
Wekesa said he initially did not take the matter seriously, assuming the caller was a scammer, given that he has never been involved in the coffee sector.
“I took it lightly, assuming it was one of those conmen on the phone, because in my entire life I have never farmed coffee, I don’t sell coffee, and I am not involved in any coffee business apart from drinking it,” he added.
Wekesa added that the situation shifted when he noticed an official summons had indeed been sent to him, reinforcing his belief that political rivals were behind what he termed a deliberate scheme aimed at blocking his upcoming swearing-in.
“When I wanted to text the number, I saw that a summon had been sent to me yesterday. According to me, I think this is politics because I have never been in Tinderet or Nandi in my life. I am now feeling that my life is in danger because of what is going on,” he further said.
According to the detective, the summons is in relation to a robbery incident which occurred on November 29, 2029, in Tinderet sub-county, where coffee berries were violently stolen.
Ironically, the robbery incident, according to the DCI, happened in 2029.
“Good afternoon, Mweshimiwa. Following our verbal telephone conversation, I, Peter Ochieng, the CCIO Nandi county do officially summon you under Section 52 of the National Police Service Act of the Laws of Kenya to come and appear before DCI Nandi County on 01/12/2015 at 10.00 am. This is in relation to a robbery incident which happened on 29/11/2029 in Tinderet sub-county where coffee berries were violently stolen. Failure to which further action might be taken without further notice against you,” the text read.
However, Wekesa is apprehensive that the summons could be a ploy to arrest him before he is sworn in as a member of the Bungoma County Assembly.
In a post on Facebook, the MCA-elect linked Wetang’ula to the scheme to arrest him days after winning the hotly contested seat.
Wekesa wondered why Wetang’ula has not accepted that Ford Kenya lost and that it is time to reconcile and unite the people.
“This is outrageous! Why can’t their PL accept he lost? Didn’t we agree to reconcile and unite our people? Now he plans to embarrass me and arrest me on the swearing in date. I’m aware of 6 gunmen trailing me up to now. Why the witch hunt? The only thing I do with coffee is drinking it. I neither farm nor trade in berries. Tuliwashinda kwa kura hii ya DCI pia tutashinda. Mungu yupo,” Wekesa said.
