Mt Elgon killings: Fingers point at army and rebels

The discovery of skeletons in Mount Elgon is sending shivers among residents who have not been able to trace relatives after raids by Sabaot Land Defence Force and the subsequent security operation.

The 11 skeletons so far found show scores may have been killed by either the SLDF or security agents and dumped in pit latrines, caves or forests.

Rights groups have consistently reported more than 700 people killed by SLDF and scores others in the security operation, Okoa Maisha, led by the military for six months since March.

It is believed that innocent people might have been killed in the first operation led by the GSU and the regular, and Administration police that forced residents to flee and find refuge in neighbouring districts. Others crossed the border into Uganda

As calm returns to the district and refugees resettle in their farms, relatives and families of people missing have began to search for loved ones in Chebwek, Kamarang (Meza), Chepyuk Scheme, Cheptonon, Kamuneru and the forest, which SLDF and security agents are feared to have converted into a cemetery. A week ago, families and security agents retrieved 11 bodies in Kamarang and Chepyuk, a move that has created anxiety among residents whose relatives went missing.

On Wednesday, APs and regular police, with the help of the family members under the command of Kopsiro divisional officer Sylvester Mwangulu retrieved six bodies in three pit latrines at Soet Village of Kopsiro Division.

They are believed to be those of Grace Wafula, 55, Michael Cheponya, 19, Linah Kiboi, 45, Julius Simotwo, 56, Timona Chesingare, 56, and Kennedy Kipruto, 20, who was a student at Bungoma High.

Relatives say the six were abducted in November by SLDF.

Five skulls

Mt Elgon police boss Clement Gatogo said: “We believe there are more families who do not know where their loved ones are, and we call on them to see us.”

Last week, five skulls and assorted human bones of people who disappeared four months ago under the custody of military officers were recovered metres from the Kamarang Sub Army Camp. The bodies and clothes of three men who had surrendered to the Kapkoto Military Camp on April 16, and later booked at Chesikaki police station, were seen by family members at Meza area within Kamarang.

Wives of Sospeter Chepkwesi Cherop, Stephen Wilson Chesori and Jackson Komon Chesori accompanied by lawyer Kraido Majune and Independent Medical legal Unit pathologist Wilbert Nalianya visited the scene days after the Kamarang camp was closed down on July 23. The area had been out of bounds for herdsmen for the entire period it existed from March 10 to July 23.

At the scene, Lenah Cheboi Makumba, 40, Lillian Temko Ndunya, 23, and Eunice Chemkung Chesori, 34, identified the skeletons of their husbands and the clothes they were wearing.

“We had lost hope after searching prisons, but we were tipped by herders who stumbled upon scattered human remains and clothes. We went and established that indeed the clothes belonged to our husbands,” said Ms Makumba, wife of Sospeter Chepkwesi and mother of 12.

The widows, who are residents of Kabero in Cheptais Division, said that their husbands presented themselves to the military at Kapkoto camp on April 16, and were later booked in at Chesikaki Police Station. They were held with 10 others who have since been charged, they said.

“We checked with the court registries in Kitale, Kimilili and Bungoma and found that our husbands were not among the persons charged,” said Eunice Chemkung, the wife of Jackson Komon.

Mr Majune said that after visiting the scene, he went to Chesikaki Police Station and established the three were booked in occurrence book, OB No. 26/16/04/2008 at 18.45 hours. They were later booked out on April 17 at 9.45am, OB No. 10/17/04/2008 and taken away by military officers.

Mr Majune, who had earlier applied to have his clients produced in Bungoma court was forced to make another application to collect and preserve the skeletons at Bungoma District Hospital mortuary for DNA tests and later burial. Magistrate Margaret Wambani declined to issue the orders saying she had no jurisdiction, something the lawyer criticised saying the court had the powers to issue an order.

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.