Governor says curfew in volatile Mt Elgon must protect residents
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However, a human rights official in the area said the curfew was uncalled for. Western Kenya Human Rights Watch Executive Director Job Bwonya said Matiang'i was misled into believing that the current wave of insecurity was caused by a militia outfit. "Police know the people behind the gang and should target them directly instead of imposing a curfew. This is not like the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) militia that was all over the place," he said. Swept through The SLDF militia swept through the region in 2006 before the Kenya Defence Forces was deployed to the area in response in 2008. Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi dismissed fears that the attacks were related to land, saying they were carried out by known criminals. "Our people only hear the names of the gang leaders, but for them to put a face to the name, they (gang leaders) should be displayed in the newspapers," he said. Even as the curfew comes to effect, residents blamed marginalisation of the Sabaot community for the conflict in the region. They told members of the Senate Devolution Committee collecting public views on the County Boundaries Bill (2016) that the wrangles would end only if the community was given a county. “The Sabaot are a minority group but they have been split into two. The community is in both Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties - this has marginalised them," said Martin Ndiwa, a resident. Senator Falhada Iman (nominated), who chaired the session, said the residents raised valid concerns.Do not miss out on the latest news. Join the Standard Digital Telegram channel HERE.
