Peter Ng'etich
14 May 2008
Nairobi — The Provincial Administration Tuesday denied claims that it was targeting Sabaot leaders in Trans Nzoia West District in the ongoing security operation in Mt Elgon.
Area DC, Francis Mutie, said they were only after suspected Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) members who had caused mayhem in the region.
Speaking to the Nation on phone, Mr Mutie said Sabaot leaders requested for the operation to root out militia groups, which killed and maimed hundreds of innocent residents.
Turn round
"They are the ones who asked for the operation and it is absurd for them to turn round and accuse the administration," the DC said.
Tuesday, the leaders, led by Anglican Church of Kenya elder, Leonard Ndiema, said the community leaders had been arrested without cause.
Talking to the Nation in Eldoret, Mr Ndiema said the leaders had been forced to flee the district for fear of their lives.
"Leaders who are arrested by the police do not come back alive," Mr Ndiema said.
The church elder said leaders, especially those allied to ODM, had disappeared in the hands of security officers only to be found dead a few days later.
Meanwhile, Trans Nzoia police boss, Bernard Muli, said he will look into claims that a former officer in the presidential escort funded post-election violence in Moi's Bridge Town.
Mr Muli said inciting people to violence was a serious offence, adding that anybody with evidence to pin down the former bodyguard should visit him.
On Thursday, the officer's children demanded that their father be investigated in connection with the violence.
They claimed he was also behind a recent hate leaflet. But the man denied the allegations, saying his children had ganged-up against him due to family issues.
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