Seven people were arraigned in Kapenguria Court on illegal assembly and assault charges following the Friday chaos that took place at St. Cecilia Chepareria Girls in West Pokot County.
They were accused of taking part in an unlawful assembly at Chepareria Trading Center on 4th May 2018 with others who were not in Court contrary to section 87[1]as read with section 79 of the penal code.
The seven Emanuel Sikuku, Musa Chemonges, Gideon Limangura, Romano Chematum, Abraham Pkorir, Thomas Kibet and Susan Cheyech were arrested yesterday and taken to Court and pleaded not guilty before the senior resident Magistrate Vincent O. Adet and were released on bond of 10 thousand shillings with a surety of cash bond of 5 thousand shillings.
The mention of the case will be on 25th May 2018 and hearing on 17th July 2018.
On Friday several people were seriously injured including the Deputy headteacher, four police officers and property destroyed after Pokot South MP David Pkossing was barred from entering Chepareria High school.
The MP had a meeting with parents in Chepareria Girls and Ortum Boys schools but youths denied him access to the schools accusing him of shifting politics to the schools.
The last conflict started after two political camps Jubilee and KANU exchanged bitter words on social media following the KCSE cancellation of the results of St. Cecilia Chepareria Girls and Ortum Boys high School.
On 13th May, the Kapenguria Court suspended the cancellation of the results for the two schools and gave KNEC two weeks to certify the results.
Speaking outside the Kapenguria Court after the seven people were released, area members of County assembly allied to KANU led by nominated member of County assembly Elijah, nominated MCA Nancy Chombir and Chepareria ward MCA Patrick Lokomol accused the County security team of being biased by arresting only KANU supporters and sparing their Jubilee counterparts.
They accused the security team of colluding with the MP to victimize KANU supporters. “He’s been giving students from the two schools false hopes and organizing for the meeting at Chepareria,” said Kolimuk.
They further accused the MP of dragging the name of Deputy President William Ruto to the conversation. “If he wants the 2022 votes he should do away with Pkossing who is spoiling his votes,” added Abraham Kibet.
West Pokot Police Commandant Mathew Kuto cautioned all leaders in the County to avoid inciting their followers saying he will deal with leaders who extend past the boundary of free speech.
He warned the two rivalry groups to respect their opponents saying the police will not relent to deal with them and will face the consequences of the law.