Security alert in Bungoma over claims SLDF regrouping

Flashback 2008: Residents of Cheptais in Mt Elgon view the body of Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) commander Wycliffe Matakwei after he was killed by security forces. There is a high security alert in Bungoma County following reports that the SLDF was regrouping. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • The illegal militant group was responsible for the deaths of more than 600 people between 2006 and 2008.
  • Mr Mohammed said security personnel have managed to recover three AK-47 rifles and a Ceska pistol in the area.
  • He said intelligence reports showed that cartels were purchasing guns from a neighbouring country and selling them to locals.
  • The dispute in the Chebyuk settlement scheme arose out of land related issues pitting two communities.

Security teams in Bungoma County are on high alert following reports that the dreaded Sabaot Land Defence Force (SDLF) was regrouping.

The illegal militant group was responsible for the deaths of more than 600 people and the displacement of 66,000 between 2006 and 2008 before it was crushed by the army.

Bungoma County Commissioner Mr Maalim Mohammed led a high-powered county security intelligence committee to tour the area where he said some beneficiaries in the disputed Chebyuk settlement scheme were selling off their land.

He said investigations had shown that part of the proceeds from the sale of land was being used to purchase firearms.

GUNS RECOVERED

Mr Mohammed said security personnel have managed to recover three AK-47 rifles and a Ceska pistol in the area.

He warned residents against selling land in the settlement scheme, adding that stern action would be taken against anyone found doing so.

Mr Mohammed said residents of the area who possessed illegal weapons had been given a 30-day amnesty to surrender them before a mop-up exercise is carried out.

“We have given the youth a 30-day ultimatum to voluntarily surrender the guns to security forces,” said Mr Mohammed.

He said intelligence reports further showed that there were cartels who were purchasing guns from a neighbouring country and selling them to locals.

“We are warning all these cartels that they are on our radar and we will hunt them down to where they are getting the guns from,” said Mr Mohammed.

LAND DISPUTE

The dispute in the Chebyuk settlement scheme arose out of land-related issues pitting two communities against each other.

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) carried out an investigation into the land dispute and recommended the prosecution Mt Elgon Member of Parliament Mr John Serut, former area MP Mr Fred Kapondi and an elder, Mr Jason Psongoiywo, who has since died.

The government later formed a task force, led by former District Commissioner Mr Solomon Ouko, who presided over the subdivision of the 352 acres of land, with more than 700 families benefitting.

A further 300 families were resettled in Trans Nzoia after the government purchased land.