Deputy President William Ruto has warned culprits who are carrying out coordinated attacks in Mt Elgon, after a spate of killings in Chepyuk settlement scheme. Speaking during a fundraiser in aid of churches in Cheptais, Mt Elgon, Bungoma County, DP Ruto said the culprits will be firmly dealt with, “If you know those who are involved with brewing trouble in Mt Elgon, then warn them that their punishment rod is heating up,” he said.
With at least 30 people killed in the past two months in the area, residents fear its a rebirth of the outlawed Sabaot Land Defence Force, which was firmly dealt with by the government more than 10 years ago. The DP said residents should avail any vital information, given that the culprits don’t come from other regions, “These criminals have neither come from another County nor Sub County, all those disturbing you come from Mt Elgon region,” he affirmed.
Information had floated around that some police officers were protecting the attackers, rendering them untouchable, but the Deputy President said the crackdown must start from the police force in the area, “We must start with the police officers protecting the culprits, not the gang members,” he said. Given the land tussles and issues in the region, he said the issues will be solved as soon as possible, “I’ve told the Interior CS Matiang’i to come here on Wednesday and also the Lands CS will be here. Mohamed Swazuri from the Land Commission will also be here and all those land problems we have at Chepyuk will be dealt with, everyone should have his land porton and have a title deed,” said the DP Ruto.