A Polish tourist who was arrested over a drone incident at Deputy President William Ruto's residence in Karen a week ago has pleaded not guilty to the charges of operating an unmanned aircraft system.
Poitr Lukasz Limwiniuk, a citizen of Poland, denied all the founts before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku.
He pleaded to the charges after the court was informed that negotiations to settle the matter out of court had failed.
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After pleading not guilty to the charges, the court ordered freed him on Sh200,000 cash bail earlier granted to him until April 13, when the case will be mention for further direction. In the alternative, he is to post a Sh500,000 bond.
Litwiniuk is facing four counts, that is, importation of unmanned aircraft without a permit issued by the authority, operating an unmanned aircraft system without authorization, operating unmanned aircraft system without a pilot license and failing to register an unmanned aircraft.
He is accused of importing the unmanned aircraft system, a Mavic Air2 drone model number MA2UE3W, without a permit issued by KCAA on January 7 through the Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
The tourist is also facing charges of operating an unmanned aircraft system without authorisation from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority on March 29 in Karen, Nairobi.
It is said that on March 29, GSU officers manning the Deputy President's private residence within Karen spotted a drone flying over the residence. They monitored it as it retreated to a neighbour's compound.
The incident was reported to Hardy police station and investigations were conducted and the matter was later referred to the DCIO's office.
Detectives discovered the drone at the DP's neighbour, the Pole who claimed he is on holiday in the country.
Last Tuesday, Nairobi County Police Commander Augustine Nthumbi said DP Ruto’s wife, Rachel, reported seeing the drone capturing events at the compound.
“On Monday at around 3 pm, Rachel saw the drone when she was in the house and reported it to police officers who rushed there and intercepted it,” said the police boss.
