Elders postpone Kapenguria police station cleansing rite

Pokot elders have postponed a cleansing ritual that was supposed to take place at Kapenguria police station yesterday.

The elders said they lacked some of the herbs that were supposed to be used in the ritual.

"We cannot continue with the ritual since we have this morning noticed that we lack some important things that we should have while performing the ritual," said Chairman John Mwok.

The elders arrived at the station early yesterday with a black sheep that was supposed to be slaughtered at the scene where seven officers were shot dead by a colleague on Thursday.

They met County Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga for 30 minutes and later proceeded to the police station where they held a brief meeting with County Police Commandant Mathews Kuto.

After the two meetings, the elders held consultations outside the police station where they realised that they did not have some vital herbs that were supposed to be used in the rituals.

Speaking to the Press outside the station, Mr Mwok said an elder who was supposed to bring the herbs from a nearby forest had not arrived by the time they wanted to conduct the rituals.

"We don't want to do an incomplete job and we have been forced to wait until the elder arrives so that we can perform the ritual once," he said.

Sources told The Standard that the police did not want the ritual to be conducted in the presence of the Press as the sheep was to be slaughtered at the report desk.

The blood mixed with internal body parts and herbs would later be sprinkled around the police station.

"The police don't want the whole process to go to media because it may raise questions," he said.

The move was meant to cleanse and help reveal more suspects who are involved in criminal activities.

This comes after seven police officers including Kapenguria Officer Commanding Station Vitalis Ochido and a recce squad officer Dennis Momanyi were shot dead.