Mt. Elgon squatters ordered to surrender illegal firearms or face stiff penalties

Squatters at the controversial Chepyuk settlement scheme in Kopsiro, Mt. Elgon constituency, have been ordered to surrender illegal guns in their possession, before a disarmament operation kicks off.

Bungoma County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim said failure to hand over the firearms will attract harsh punishment.

Speaking Wednesday during a public baraza at Kopsiro, Mr Maalim said he had offered a one-month amnesty for those still holding illicit firearms to surrender them before they face the full force of the law.

“I know a number of you are still holding illegal guns and hiding them in the forest or underground. Please surrender them to the police, chiefs’ offices or to any Nyumba Kumi official,” said the administrator.

This came following the killing of a man last week by unknown people at his home in Toywondet village. The deceased is believed to have been the mastermind at the height of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) insurgency between 2006 to 2008, in which scores of residents were killed and maimed.

The victim is alleged to have been one of the SLDF diehards who maimed and killed his close relatives in Chepkurkur, Emia location, with the aim of grabbing their land freely but fled to Uganda after his mission aborted with the entry of the military.

A source who wished not to be named owing to the sensitivity of the matter said the deceased returned to the country and went ahead to train as a nursery teacher, after which he secured employment with the county government, but was ambushed and killed by people believed to be his close relatives

Main suspects

Maalim said many suspects have been arrested and are helping police with investigations, adding they have zeroed in on the main suspects. “Majority of residents here are very secretive. They are not willing to disclose suspects still in possession of the illegal guns but remember, you can be the next victim.Reveal their identity so that we can apprehend them,” he said.

SLDF, which was believed to have been agitating for the ownership of land in the controversial Chepyuk settlement scheme was wiped out by the military in the operation dubbed ‘Okoa Maisha’, when its ring leader Wycliffe Matwakei was gunned down.

After the killing of its commander, many group members had to run to neighbouring countries.

Peace Chairman in Cheptais division Richard Sangula called on residents to name all people owning illegal guns so that peace can prevail in the region.

“Many illegal gun owners do not want to surrender them now. They will be leased out by politicians during the General Election so that those who are perceived to be against certain politicians are threatened or even killed,” said Sangula.

He warned politicians financially supporting militias that their days are numbered. “This region has been marginalised for long and we cannot accept to be used by politicians for their own selfish gains. Let’s stand firm and name suspects still holding guns illegally,” he said.

Chepyuk Ward rep Enock Ndiema said the insecurity issue has been brought about by the government’s lack of seriousness in solving the land puzzle through issuance of title deeds.

He pointed out that some leaders in the constituency were sabotaging peace through inciting residents and called on security agencies to take action against them.

Maalim dismissed rumours that the military officers based in Banandega and Kapkota are about to be removed as baseless. “The government is about to gazette Mt. Elgon as a military operation area and those spreading propaganda that the officers are leaving the region are day dreaming, We are even thinking of increasing the troops,” he said.