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.