Custom Search
February 20th, 2009
BY BENJAMIN OCHIENG
THE Kenya Human Rights Commission is mounting pressure for the arrest of Military personnel’s that massacred the Sabaot Land Defense Force SLDF in Mt. Elgon .
SLDF sprung into being in 2005, to fight for the land of Mt Elgon people. Trouble started when those who had relocated to Karamoja , Uganda came back to find their farms occupied. This prompted them to strike at night to reclaim.
The militia whose” Never Say Die’ motto gained momentum, made terror squad and turned Mt. Elgon forest their hidings.
The going got tough in the forest and retreated to the people for their up keep.
This was the time schools got shut when teachers were forcibly instructed to part with between 2000 – 5000Kshs per month as protection fees.
They further recruited students into the SLDF. But those who could not submit the fee or contribute for their well being in the forest, were ear notched to make permanent scars for them to remember.
The people who regretted were those who were totally in objection to their moves. They were massacred in cold blood and their carcasses disposed in the forest.
The SLDF orgy killing was experienced between May 2005 and June2007.
There desperate call reached the government ears and the then Internal Security Minister John Michuki dispatched a contingent of General Service Unit Police G.S.U, Regular and Administration police AP’S to Mt. Elgon but the heavily armed rebels fired back propellers and repelled them.
In Feb 2008, the government said enough is enough and let lose the harsh dogs from the military and sealed of the region.
The 30 days operation dubbed ‘Okoa Maisha’ (save life) kept area MPS, red cross society, civil society, human rights lobby groups and the media fraternity at bay as military helicopters sprayed bombs and artillery bullets to the forest flashing them out
By the time the military started operation March 2008, 2000 people had been killed 10,000 rendered homeless. Most of those killed were from Cheptais and Chepyuk settlement scheme that was in the centre of controversy.
In their first development, a military land rover ferried 20 bodies shuttered with bullet holes believed to be the SLDF members.
The bodies were paraded for identification and SLDF Commander Wycliffe Matakwei’s body was identified by his wife.
Over 2000 suspects that included local leaders, Chiefs, village elders and civic leaders were arrested and arraigned in Bungoma and Kitale courts charged with various offences varying from murder, fuelling, conspiracy and masterminding felonious activities with unlawful group.
Department of Defense spokesman Bogita Ongeri lamented that the military did not conduct work with impunity and brutality as alleged . “The military believed it had managed to return Mt Elgon to the Path of peace ".Said Ongeri.
In Dec 2008, marked 10 months after peace was restored ,the human rights lobby group on fact finding mission visited the scene to inspect the resettlement but were shocked to discover 200 fresh human bones discarded in the forest with clothes scattered in the nearby. "This is clear picture that these men surrendered but were striped naked ,paraded and bullets sprayed at them to kill them in cold blood .The bones are till very fresh."Said Peter Wefwafwa , a forensic expert when trying to examine the remains.
Some of the people who joined the SLDF have never returned, Wives are widowed but never buried their husbands .The rumours spread that they had escaped to Uganda but this was not to be.
Not all residents of the area were happy with what the military did in Mt Elgon.” Peace may have returned but it came at higher price than what we anticipated".Said John kirui , a Cheptais resident.
The area Member of Parliament Fred Kapondi says the operation mostly hurt, maimed and injured the innocent.
Kapondi who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on security was unhappy with the way the operation was carried out and according to him, many matters especially concerning torture in the ‘Okoa Maisha’ operation remain unresolved." We need to be told why the military used excessive force. They acted with impunity and brutally to the harmless and defenseless civilians. This was a gross violation of fundamental rights of Mt. Elgon people." Said Kapondi.
The Human Rights Watchdog Hassan Omar now wants the military officers be identified by the people, prosecuted and charged at the ICC , Hague." Instead of arresting and prosecuting suspects, they strip naked and spray bullets at them. Survivors are capable of identifying those who tortured them . We want justice to the people.” Said Omar...
ENDS