Former Emgwen MP Stephen Tarus on Tuesday recorded a statement with police in Nandi police over claims of an arson attack at his home.
The information attributed to him claimed that his rural home in Kapkangani had been set ablaze by unknown arsonists over his political inclination to Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Tarus arrived at Chesumei police station some minutes to 12am after he was summoned to do so by officers attached to the directorate of criminal investigations to shed light on the matter.
“I have just recorded a statement with the police regarding widespread rumours that my rural home had been set on fire by unknown people,” he told the Star on phone.
Tarus who is also a former Kenyan High Commissioner to Australia said it was up to the detectives to go for people who misinformed him into believing that his house was indeed on fire with the intention of depicting him as unwanted in his home county.
“My detractors are using all dirty games to influence my political stand with the aim of forcing me to join UDA which is associated with the Deputy President William Ruto, but let them rest assured that I will not change my stand,” he said.
Tarus castigated Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi for allegedly intimidating those who are not toeing DP’s political line terming his action as a sign of cowardice.
Chesumei police boss Bosita Omukolongolo said while responding to a distress call from the former MP over the alleged arson incident at his home, they discovered that it was just a rumour.
“We got alarmed after information went round social media purporting that the home of former MP in Sugut village was on fire. On arrival at the scene, we however established that the house was still intact," Omukolongolo said.
The incident comes after Tarus, a staunch supporter of Raila and Sudi who is allied to Ruto, clashed on Saturday during the burial of slain athlete Agnes Tirop at her Kapnyamisa village in Nandi county.
Sudi hit out at Tarus for disrespecting the DP during his speech to hundreds of mourners who had attended the burial.
Tarus, while addressing mourners accused the DP of doing little for Rift Valley residents including addressing the plight of maize farmers.
“Even if you hate Ruto, please have some form of decorum and avoid name-calling,” Sudi told Tarus.
-Edited by SKanyara