KDF denies involvement in Mandera mass grave

Nairobi: The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has refuted claims of involvement in the disappearance of people or extrajudicial killings in Mandera where a mass grave was Sunday night discovered.

The shallow grave with 12 bodies, including a woman who has been missing from her restaurant at Arabia trading centre since last Thursday, sparked fears of a return of extra-judicial killings in an area where police and military forces have been battling Al Shabaab militants.

 “The Ministry of Defence wishes to categorically state that KDF is not involved in any way with the mass grave discovered in Mandera. KDF is not involved in any way with the disappearance of people or extrajudicial killings in Mandera or anywhere else in the country,” said KDF spokesman Colonel David Obonyo.

Obonyo challenged those with information of KDF’s involvement in the mass grave to bring it forth to the relevant authorities for further probe, adding that it is ready and willing to cooperate with any authorised institution or body investigating the allegations.

“KDF will institute an independent body of inquiry to investigate the matter to its full conclusion,” said Obonyo.

Political leaders from the area had pointed an accusing finger at KDF personnel whom they noted have been linked to a number of abduction and forceful disappearance of persons and even deaths.