Police on high alert as militia ‘is regrouping’

Security teams in Bungoma County are on high alert following intelligence reports that a dreaded militia is regrouping.

The Sabaot Land Defence Force, which was fighting for land, was responsible for the death of 1,000 people and displacement of thousands.

County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed, who led a security committee in touring the region, said some beneficiaries of land in the controversial Chebyuk Settlement Scheme were selling their property, with part of the proceeds being used to buy firearms.

Seized rifles
He said security officers had found three AK47 rifles and a Ceska pistol in the area.

He warned settlers against selling land, and warned of stern action against anyone who defied the directive.

Mr Mohammed said residents in possession of illegal weapons had been given a 30-day amnesty to surrender them before a disarmament drive was carried out.

Intelligence reports showed that there were cartels buying guns from a neighbouring country before reselling them to residents, he said.

“These cartels are on our radar and we will hunt them down to where they are getting the guns,” warned Mr Mohammed.

The dispute in Chebyuk Settlement Scheme, which pitted two communities, was over land.

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission investigated the dispute and recommended the prosecution of Mt Elgon MP John Serut, former area MP Fred Kapondi and an elder, Mr Jason Psongoiywo. The elder has since died.

The government later set up a taskforce led by former District Commissioner Solomon Ouko, who presided over the sub-division of the scheme’s 352 acres, with more than 700 families allocated plots.

Another 300 families were resettled in Trans Nzoia after the government bought land for them.