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Kenya: Militia Bosses Asked to Surrender
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The Nation (Nairobi)
9 May 2008
Posted to the web 9 May 2008
Bernard Kwalia And George Omonso
Nairobi
The Government has urged commanders of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF), who are still at large, to surrender as it would consider granting them amnesty.
Western PC Abdul Mwasera said the State was ready to grant them amnesty if they voluntarily surrender with their firearms.
The PC told the Nation that the army had so far arrested over five commanders.
The administrator said a number of SLDF members who surrendered had been granted amnesty.
He said the doors were still open for those willing to surrender before security personnel catch up with them.
He said the military operation had paid off as the officers had arrested more than 1,000 suspects, who face charges that include promoting war-like activities and murder in Mt Elgon.
Mr Mwasera said that so far, 57 AK47 rifles, four hand grenades and ammunition had been recovered.
He urged the local community to support the military operation and volunteer information to the security personnel that can enable them track down the criminals.
The PC told leaders in the district to stop politicising the security operation in the area, adding that they should instead support government efforts to restore peace in the troubled district.
Meanwhile, leaders in Trans Nzoia have urged the Government to lift a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on residents two months ago.
The say the curfew, occasioned by the military action to flush out the SLDF militia group, had outlived its usefulness.
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Extorted money
They accused the police and other law enforcers of turning the curfew into a cash cow as they extorted money from those found breaking the directive.
They said SLDF members had either relocated to Uganda, with some having been arrested or killed in the military operation.
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