Four bodies recovered in Suguta valley

By CYRUS OMBATI

At least four mutilated bodies of some of the missing police officers were recovered Thursday morning in Suguta Valley as security agents ventured into the area six days after more than 40 officers were killed by bandits.

The bodies had been devoured by hyenas and witnesses said they did not have some body parts.

The officers managed to identify them through the uniforms they were wearing.

Internal security Minister Katoo ole Metito said there are five officers who are still missing following the Saturday morning attack.

“We have found a head and legs of some of our colleagues and I can hear gunshots from the valley an indication of an action,” said an officer on the ground.

Metito said security agencies are looking for two more councilors who participated in the attacks and identified them as Councilor Paul Edapal and Councilor Sospeter Erupe who happens to be an Ex-GSU Inspector.

“This incident has revealed the need to upgrade police equipment for better response in the future. This will require the government to procure specialised vehicles, specialised aircrafts equipped with surveillance equipment and ammo,” he said.

He said some 33 guns were stolen during the assault on the police adding security agencies with the help of military aerial surveillance are doing everything within its ability to recover them and arrest the bandits.

“This operation is targeting criminals not innocent citizens or a particular community and members of the public should volunteer information on the perpetrators, financiers and those with illegal guns,” said the minister.

The minister said intelligence information on the planned operation to recover stolen animals leaked to the benefit of the bandits leading to heavy causalities on the side of the police.

“On November 14, two police officers were found alive, though five (5) police officers are still missing”, he added.

Metito said additional aircrafts have been sent to the area and 600 security officers deployed to conduct an operation.

In Nairobi, police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said they will have to conduct a DNA test on the seven bodies that cannot be identified.

He added that the families of the victims will be compensated.

Two military choppers have been on the ground helping in locating the missing bodies of the slain officers. The choppers managed to recover more than ten bodies on Monday.

This was after one of the police choppers that were being used in the operation and transferring bodies to Nairobi developed mechanical problems at the Baragoi police station.