Kapondi denies backing Mt Elgon clashes

A politician has denied sponsoring clashes that affected the Mt Elgon region in 2007.

Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi denied before the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) in Bungoma of having any links with the Sabaot Land Defense Force that carried out mayhem in the region.

Mr Kapondi has instead accused politicians of linking him to the militia group, which spread terror and wrecked havoc to the residents of Mt Elgon region.

Mr Kapondi said main reason of conflicts in the area arises from the land distribution in Chebyuk area.

He said during the political campaigns to the run up of 2002 general elections, the residents were promised by a rival party that residents will not be evicted from Chebyuk and title deeds will be issued.

Mr Kapondi notes that the election pledges went unfulfilled triggering tension in Chebyuk.

He said the militia was mainly targeting residents from Cheptais for eviction from the settlement scheme.

Mr Kapondi had unsuccessfully through lawyer Mr Omundi Bw’Onchiri tried to not to appear before TJRC stating that he court was handling his case.

Mr Kapondi also alleged how he was wrongfully charged for murder in 2007.

“All they wanted was to find a major offense that lacked bail to lock me up from campaigning for the coming elections,” he said.

The MP said the region has experienced violence that includes the killings of senior officers and torching houses belonging the local residents.