News
Mt Elgon killings: Fingers point at army and rebels
Daniel Chemiat and Leah Chepsoi examine an abandoned borehole at Kebee village in Chebyuk Settlement Scheme, Mt Elgon District on Monday. Leah’s husband is believed to have been killed by Sabaot Land Defence Force militia and his body thrown into the borehole in Ndiwa’s compound. Photo/JARED NYATAYA
Posted Monday, August 25 2008 at 18:44
The lawyer then visited Mt Elgon divisional police officer Clement Gatogo with the widows and the Imlu team to seek permission to collect the skeletons, but police declined and instead ordered the women to record statements.
The police boss while addressing the Press, said they had no record of missing persons in the district. “Police could not launch investigations on a matter that had not been reported,” Mr Gatogo said.
He pledged to act promptly on the three reported cases.
The list of people missing after they were arrested by the military in Mt Elgon is swelling, according to the report released by human rights teams in Bungoma Monday. The Western Human Rights watch released 54 names out of 106 that were arrested between March and August 11. The organisation said the other 52 names of missing persons would be released after complainants record statements.
Director Job Bwonya said they had so far interviewed 63 families whose people were missing after soldiers arrested and took them to Kapkoto camp.
Rapid deployment
The six page report shows that 735 people had been killed by the military, rapid deployment unit, GSU, regular police and the militia in Mt Elgon District
The most affected areas were Sasuri, Chepkube, Emia, Kapkateny and Cheptais locations.
They were still compiling names of both dead and missing persons, they said.
Top on the list of 106 is Chebwek assistant chief Patrick Sewui, 38, who was arrested before his family on April 29 at home in Cheptais by Army officers.
Among those missing are James Kiboi, 42, Geoffrey Katasi ,39, Patrick Sewui, 38, Meshack Komon, 27, Stephen Kaboto, 46, Patrick Ondiema, 36, Gilbert Cheptot, 37, Geoffrey Makasi, 29, Kennedy Kimtai, 42, Martin Kipsang, 35, Robert Kitiet, 33, and Kennedy Kwemoi, 40.
Others are Geoffrey Mengwa, Barasa Ndiwa, Joseph Tekwei, Benson Ngeywo, Simon Kipyeko, Stephen Mbito, Mzee Kaban, Peter Sioyi, Tito Tonosho, Bramuel Wasama, Richard Chepkey, Patrick Chemsa, Sospeter Cherop, 47, Jackson Chesoli, 40, Stephen Chesoli, 29, Amos Kwarat, 40, David Ndiema, 36, Vincent Maraka, 42, Samuel Boyo, Isaac Kiboi, 60, John Chepkombe, Peter Chepkrin, Amos Kipsigei, Martin Mutio, Sadik Ibrahim, 60, Wycliffe Malei, 34, Madui Chepkombe, 39, David Kisalo, Kizo Ndorobo, Karunga Ngeye, Simon Chenakam, Juma Kituyi, Stephen Chepture, Mayebei Nyokie, Arap Kimat, Simon Kipyeko, Rodrick Sichei, Bensn Sichaa, Benard Tuikong, Richard Chepkoy, a Mr Kiminia and a Mr Chemararan.
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