Kenyan activists quizzed over arms claims
Security officers in Kibera, Nairobi during the post-election violence in 2007. There have been claims that militias in the Rift Valley are rearming ahead of Kenya's 2012 elections.. Photo/FILE
Two human rights activists were arrested briefly on Friday over claims that militias in the Rift Valley were rearming ahead of the 2012 elections.
The executive director of the Eldoret-based Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Mr Ken Wafula, and the head of the Centre Against Torture, Mr David Koros, were later released after being questioned.
Mr Wafula was questioned by the Eldoret District CID boss, Mr Simon Wabwire, while Mr Koros was questioned by Wabwire’s deputy, a Mr Wachira. The two were interrogated for about two hours before they were released.
By the time of going to press, the officers were also said to be looking for another human rights activist in the town, Mr Kipkorir Ng’etich.
Speaking to the Saturday Nation after they were released, Mr Wafula said he stood by the reports, maintaining that Rift Valley residents were arming themselves with guns ahead of the 2012 General Election.
“In 1992, there were clashes in the province and the State did not protect the people. In 1997 and 2007 it was the same. This time round (2012), people don’t want to be caught unawares and are arming themselves for protection,” he said.
Mr Wafula claimed that night meetings were taking place in the larger Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia districts to strategise on how to protect communities, adding that money is being collected secretly to buy guns.
He said that with Sh30,000, he would buy a rifle from dealers and deliver it to the State as evidence. “This is a matter which the government should address urgently.”
Act of intimidation
Mr Koros termed the move to arrest him as an act of intimidation by the government and demanded thorough investigations into the matter.
Reacting to the questioning of the two, Eldoret town politicians Kipkorir Menjo, Kibet Faruk and Kaguru wa Ndung’u said the government should not take the issue lightly.
The three said allegations of rearming of militias were causing tension in the province, which was just waking up from the effects of last year’s violence.
On Thursday, Agriculture minister William Ruto described the reports as “rumours.” Prof Saitoti has denied that militias were rearming. However, clerics and other leaders urged the government to investigate the claims.
