The life of a Dutch national who is suffering from a heart disease is in danger after unknown officers in the director of public prosecution’s (DPP) office allegedly delayed the release of his travel documents, despite a court order to issue them.
Peter Aart, who suffers from a rare heart condition known as Type 2 WPW Syndrome, has expressed fear over his life after it emerged that some authorities in the said office are slow in facilitating the release of his passport. This is after Kenyan doctors referred him for further treatment in his home country, saying the required medical attention is not available in the country.
“…None of the above can be carried out in Kenya and given his symptoms and risks of SDC (sudden cardiac death). I have advised him to embark on this specialised treatment in the country of origin,” resident physician at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Dr Feroz Alihboy wrote in a letter addressed to concerned parties in the DPP’s office, referring to Aart’s condition.
The 53-year-old electrical engineer was in 2012 convicted to three years in prison in connection with arson (burning his wife's house) and his passport seized at the beginning of the trial. He was, however, freed on Sh50,000 bond awaiting the outcome of a high court appeal, which is due for mention October 29.
He was also acquitted of another charge of being in the country illegally. This was after he produced a valid passport in support of his stay.
He received a temporary court order allowing him to seek medication.
He has, however, been unable to leave the country because the title deed which was used as surety against his case cannot be traced in the case file. Consequently, he cannot be given his passport.
The prosecutor in the case had applied that the title deed be verified by the Lands ministry. This was done and a letter referred back to the trial court was effected.
The Dutch national said that since coming into the country, he had been going back to Netherlands for treatment annually. He has medical cover there.
He added that he had sworn in court to attend all sessions and that his homeland further fortified that assurance.
He said he came to Kenya in 2007 and got married to Pamela Atieno, who was the complainant in the arson charge.
The passport expires in May 26 next year.
He is appealing to the government to aid in the hastening of release of the document, saying his health has continued to decline and Kenyan doctors have expressed that they cannot do much to help.