Suspects in Tana killings face weapons charges

By Joseph Masha

Fifty people arrested in a police raid on Saturday at Ngao village following Friday’s massacre at Kipao village were Monday arraigned in court in Garsen and charged with weapon possession.

Meanwhile, a planned tour of the clash-torn areas by new Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo, which had been scheduled for Monday, has been pushed to tomorrow.

Kimaiyo was to visit the area together with Internal Security minister Katoo ole Metito and Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa.

Those charged Monday include several primary school children aged about 14, and a former General Service Unit officer Enock Masha, who police sources claim deserted the force two years ago.

There was tight security in and around the court as the charges were read to the suspects, who were later set free on cash bail or bonds.

In Friday’s violence at Kipao, over 40 people were killed including ten attackers whose bodies villagers later burnt to ashes.

When they were charged, the suspects, who were unrepresented, denied the charges with Masha leading them in demanding prosecution statements.

“I am pleading with the prosecution to let me have my charge statements so that I can go through them as I prepare my defence,” said Masha.

There was tension within the court and the surrounding areas when the suspects were brought in a police truck under heavy guard.

A large crowd was prevented from entering the small courtroom, which was already packed with security officers and journalists.

According to the charge sheets, the suspects were found with offensive weapons or spears “which were deemed to be intended to commit a crime”.

Garsen Senior Resident Magistrate Justus Kituku declined to grant the suspects free bond. The suspects had asked the court to release them on free bonds but the prosecution opposed the request and instead asked that they be given cash bonds.

“Your honour, I oppose their application for free bond and ask this honourable court to give them a bond of any amount,” said the prosecutor.

Kituku granted each of them on a Sh30,000 bond with one surety of the same amount or a Sh20,000 cash bail. The case will be mentioned on January 7, while the hearing was fixed for January 15.

Sparked outrage

Meanwhile, police detained six parents and relatives of ten suspected raiders slain in Friday’s violence when they went to report their missing sons Monday.

The arrests sparked outrage with locals accusing police of doing little as the suspected raiders were burnt.

Tana Delta DC David Kiprop claimed Monday the victims’ kin had gone to find out from the police if they were holding them after they went missing in the wake of the raid.

Mr Kiprop claimed one of the parents was arrested in a police raid on Ngao on Saturday.

“Our aim is to find out from the parents what they know about their children’s attack at Kipao,” said Kiprop, adding that other parents and relatives could have some useful information on the planning of the massacre.

Kiprop also disclosed that residents continue to flee the affected areas fearing revenge attacks.

“People are still moving out of Ngao, Tarasaa, Kipao, Odha, Ndhuru and other villages because of fear. They are likely going back to where they were after the August/September violence,” he said Monday.

Kirpop said the Government had donated 10 bags of rice, five bags of beans and five cartons of cooking oil to those affected by the violence at Kipao.