By Robert Wanyonyi
A Cabinet minister and two MPs funded the Sabaot Land Defense Force ( SLDF) in Mt Elgon, the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission ( TJRC) was told.
A former commander with the rag-tag militia, now in custody at the Bungoma Prison, narrated how the three politicians, and four councillors raised money for their activities.
"We got support from them to sustain our activities. While got money through extortion of civil servants, but it was little compared to what we received from the politicians," said the inmate who requested anonymity.
He recalled how the militia group launched its first attack by raiding a police station and took away 14 guns which he said they used for other attacks and train new members.
"On August, 28 2006, we attacked a chief involved in the third phase of the land allocation at Chebyuk. He was shot dead by our leader Wycliffe Matakwei," said the former SLDF member.
According to records in possession of The Standard regarding the Mt Elgon conflict, the Provincial Administrator killed on that day was Shem Cherowo, in Kopsiro Division.
The inmate urged for action against the politicians because, according to him, the political class caused the crisis, only to ask the Government to intervene when the situation was out of their hands.
Situation evolved
He revealed that it was after Matakwei demanded a certain amount of money to be paid by one of the politicians towards the rehabilitation of members of the group that the same politician rushed to the Government asking for military deployment.
"Matakwei only asked for a monthly contribution from the politician since we had come a long way, failure to which he was ready to spill the beans. However, this terrified the politician who pleaded with the State for the deployment of the army and thatâs how the situation evolved until Matakweiâs killing," said the inmate.
TJRC CEO Patricia Nyaundi assured the commission will compile all the information received with a view to taking action against those mentioned. The commission continues with its sessions at the Bungoma GK Prison today.
