11 April 2008
Nairobi — Military officers have recovered ten more guns from members of the Sabaot Land Defence Force in Mt Elgon.
Local DC, Mr Mohammed Birik, said on Thursday the weapons were recovered when soldiers returned to Cheptais Division.
The military operation also flushed out members of the gang terrorising people in the district.
Local leaders led by area MP, Mr Fred Kapondi, have demanded that the operation be stopped because of alleged torture of residents, a claim the security forces have dismissed.
Birik said the cache brings to 42 the number of guns recovered. Also netted were 200 grenades and military and police uniforms.
Police Spokesman, Mr Eric Kiraithe, this week said 41 guns had been recovered, while Western PC, Mr Abdul Mwasera, said they had recovered 33 only.
Sources told The Standard that militia groups bought hundreds of guns in Turkwel and Kasei in West Pokot since last year.
"It was like a market. Some of the drivers who carried the guns said they were taking them to Trans Nzoia, while others said they destined for Mt Elgon," said the source.
Last year, two KTN reporters bought an AK-47 rifle in West Pokot District and drove past police roadblocks. They surrendered the guns at the Kapenguria OCPD's office.
In Mt Elgon, the DC said the Government had initiated dialogue with residents.
Tortured suspects
"The villagers were afraid of volunteering information for fear of reprisals from suspected SLDF members, but we have instilled confidence in them," said Birik
He added: "When the operation started, it was difficult to track the gang down but once the villagers started co-operating, things changed," he said.
In Kaptama, residents protested at the arrest of men, both young and old. They claimed they were forced to roll in mud and rainwater.
However, the DC told leaders not to politicise the operation, saying the Government was committed to restoring peace in the district.
Meanwhile, Kapondi who spoke to The Standard on telephone reiterated that he had no links with the SLDF militia.
"I am firm in serving my people and I cannot lead them into joining an illegal militia like the SLDF which has subjected many innocent people to untold suffering," Kapondi said.
The MP said he was available in case the police wanted him for questioning. He stated that he would only respond to official summons and not media reports.
"If the police want me, they can contact me through my lawyers," said the MP.
Reports from Western Province indicated that police were looking for Kapondi to record a statement on what he knows about SLDF activities.
story contributed by Isaiah Lucheli, Robert Wanyonyi and Roselyne Obala
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