DP Ruto’s South African Employee Arrested

Police on Friday arrested a South African national who works for Deputy President William Ruto.

Arie Dempers, the manager of DP Ruto’s expansive farm in Taita-Taveta County, was arrested following a public outcry over illegal water connection at the farm. He was arrested after a daylong inspection of the 1,000-acre Kisima farm by the Taita-Taveta Water and Sewerage Company (TAVEVO) officials and police.

Confirming the arrest, County Police Commander Said Kiprotich said county government officials found an illegal water pipe at the farm during the inspection. He said the suspect was later released on a police bond awaiting prosecution next week.

Area residents had filed complaints after the ranch allegedly diverted water supply for livestock use and other activities leaving them with no water supply. Police went to the farm after an order issued by Taveta Principal Magistrate Benson Khapoya authorizing them to inspect and assess the details of the complaints.

“That the orders to gain access to Kisima Farm immutably and also to disconnect and uproot/ remove any illegal connection at the said farm/property are hereby granted,” read the court order.

Dempers was in May last year arrested after he reportedly disrupted prayers in a local mosque by storming in armed with a rifle. He is said to have complained that the mosque was making a lot of noise.

“The suspect in our custody entered into the Mosque and demanded that worshipers reduce the sound of the communications system. We have arrested the suspect and will be arraigned soon. We will charge him of creating a disturbance,” said the then Taveta Police Commander Lawrence Marwa.