Five suspects behind Mau Forest violence charged
Suspects accused of fanning violence in Njoro, Nakuru County, arraigned on September 17, 2018 in Nakuru. PHOTO | JOSEPH OPENDA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They have been remanded at Nakuru Central Police Station to allow police conclude the investigations.
- More than 400 police officers were deployed in the areas to end the violence that has claimed five lives.
Five people linked to the skirmishes that rocked Nessuit and Mauche in Eastern Mau Forest, Nakuru County, in the past one week have been charged with incitement.
The suspects - Nakuru County Assembly Deputy Speaker Samuel Tonui, Njoro Constituency Development Fund chairman William Kipkemboi Langat, Nessuit Assistant Chief Joseph Ruto Lesingo and two others - appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Liz Gicheha on Monday.
According to the charge sheet, on diverse dates between September 11 and 14, the five incited two communities living at Nessuit village in Njoro against each other. They denied the charges.
Ms Gicheha remanded the accused at Nakuru Central Police Station for three days to allow police conclude the investigations.
The prosecution had requested the court to have them detained for 14 days.
POLICE
The investigating officer in a sworn affidavit said he needs to obtain mobile phone communication data and get more witnesses to record statements before their bond terms are determined.
Further, Ms Gicheha ordered treatment of Mr Tonui and Mr Lagat at Nakuru Level Five Hospital after they fell ill in court.
More than 400 police officers were deployed in the areas to end the violence that has claimed five lives.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui on Sunday urged the locals to avoid any activity that may cause disunity.
"I urge the residents to maintain peace and stop bloodshed. Issues of land can be sorted out by the law. They must embrace dialogue and reconciliation," Mr Kinyanjui said.
The residents had sought refuge in various schools.
