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Two Suspects Killed in Renewed Clashes

The East African Standard (Nairobi)
NEWS
December 10, 2006
Posted to the web December 11, 2006

By Isaiah Lucheli and Osinde Obare
Nairobi
Two suspected raiders were shot dead and 11 arrested after they clashed with Mt
Elgon District police following fresh clashes in the area.
About 200 people raided Chepkurkur village in Kopsiro division and set ablaze
more than 100 houses.
The area District Commissioner, Mr Kutswa Olaka, said the bandits attacked
villagers before torching houses.
Olaka said a contingent of General Service Unit (GSU), administration and
regular police repulsed the raiders, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects and
gunning down of two.
Olaka said police recovered arrows, spears and machetes used by the raiders.
The DC said more GSU and regular police officers had been deployed in the area
to curb banditry.
"The Government will restore security in Kopsiro division to facilitate
settlement of those allocated land in the Chebyuk settlement scheme," said
Olaka.
The attack comes barely a day after the Western Provincial Commissioner, Mr
Abdul Mwasera, visited the area and warned the locals against increasing cases
of insecurity.
The gang, is protesting over the alleged flawed land allocation in the Chebyuk
settlement scheme. More than 18 people have been killed and 1000 families
displaced due to the clashes.
The area MP, Mr John Serut, has also expressed fear that his life is in danger
after members of the gang allegedly warned him of dire consequences if he
supports the land allocations.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 people who fled from the controversial Chebyuk
settlement scheme in Mt Elgon District have appealed to the Government to
provide security to facilitate their return.
Most of the displaced victims are currently staying in Trans-Nzoia and Bungoma
districts.
Those displaced said they had moved from the disputed land following the
killing of more than 20 people by armed gangs.
Speaking in Kitale town, some of the victims appealed to the minister for
Internal Security, Mr John Michuki, to intervene and beef up security in the
area to enable them return to their homes.
They also called on the Government to nullify allocation of the 1,732-acre
Chebyuk farm, saying a few individuals had politicised the allocation.
The chairperson of National Council of Women of Kenya North Rift region, Mrs
Jennifer Masis, urged the Government to ensure the security of the displaced
families.
Displaced victims interviewed said more than 30 people have been killed at the
disputed farm and pleaded with the Police Commissioner, Maj General Mohammed
Ali, to intervene.


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