Bogita Ongeri
22 June 2008
opinion
Nairobi — In the past few weeks, there has been a great hue and cry over the joint police and military security operation in the Mt Elgon area.
Some people, mainly in human rights organisations, have accused the military of torturing civilians in the course of the operation. This is a false accusation and it is important that the general public be informed of the true position.
Local terrorists
For the last three years, the people of Mt Elgon District have had to endure severe lawlessness perpetrated by a militia group calling itself the Sabaot Land Defence Force. Over the period, locals have been intimidated and extorted by this gang which seemed to have a free reign in the area.
Those who raised their voices against it had their ears chopped off while others were tortured and eventually killed.
It should be noted that the SLDF is a brutal, inhuman group of local terrorists, rapists, extortionists and murderers who have used the cover of land disputes to execute extreme criminal activities against the people.
Following calls from local leaders, the media and the general public to beef up security in the region, an operation involving the police and the military was launched to restore peace, law and order.
The security deployment provided was welcomed by the residents of the Mt Elgon region who fully cooperated with the officers and started revealing the terrorists when they felt sufficiently safe to do so.
So far, a total of 3,779 suspected SLDF militiamen have been arrested. Out of this number, 1,162 were turned in by the locals to the security forces. A total of 843 have been positively identified as SLDF militiamen, 758 have been arraigned in court while 85 await trial.
Serious injuries
By the time of writing, some 73 weapons and 748 rounds of ammunition had been recovered. Over half the recovered weapons and ammunition were brought in by area residents; a clear manifestation of their willingness and readiness to provide the support necessary for the success of the operation.
Their support is further evident by the treatment meted out on the arrested suspects by the locals. Some are brought to the security forces with serious injuries and in some cases, the security forces have had to treat them. So far, more than 10,602 people have been treated by the military medical team in the area.
Military engineers are also on location constructing new roads and repairing dilapidated ones.
The accusations levelled against the military increased when the local population stepped up efforts to forward the suspects and support the security forces.
The warlords increased their campaign to have the military withdrawn after realising that residents are cooperating with the security forces and are determined to get rid of the criminals.
It is evident that the military is being vilified so the warlords can regain control of the region, having realised that they are losing the battle.
Calls by human rights organisations and political activists for the immediate withdrawal of the security forces without the complete purge of SLDF criminals means that the people of Mt Elgon will be left to suffer, as vengeance against those who have turned in suspected criminals to the security forces would be the order of the day.
This vendetta against the military is therefore in support of SLDF criminals, and a withdrawal of the security officers is what the SLDF criminals and their supporters want.
The SLDF has killed over 600 people, established their own authority, demanded and collected illegal taxes and operated with impunity and complete disregard to the rule of law. Those against the military presence in this operation have not given a thought to what could happen if the SLDF are allowed to operate freely.
Patriotic Kenyans
Patriotic Kenyans and friends of this country must realise that the security of the State cannot be compromised or politicised as the detrimental effects would affect all, including the media which has given slanted coverage of this operation.
Let Kenyans of goodwill and the media have a positive and patriotic approach to assist in whichever way and avoid creating a wedge between the security forces and the population in matters of State security, which are fundamental for any economic and social development.
It must be emphasised that no professional military, which ours is, would be interested in torture while seeking to win the hearts and minds of the populace in the area of operation. We operate under the principle of minimum force to own citizens. This is what the military is trained to practise when giving aid to civil authority operations.
The joint security operation has indeed won the hearts and minds of the people of Mt Elgon. The truth is out there for those interested in and ready to support a peaceful Kenya.
Bogita Ongeri is Chief Public Relations Officer, Defence Headquarters.
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