West Pokot leaders are up in arms over the rampant killings happening in the County, which they allege are extrajudicial killings. The leaders have condemned the incidents and blamed the security agencies over the killings and are demanding for the arrest of the killers.
The latest incident is where two men were killed and their bodies were discovered inside Kaptakat forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Wednesday and two others were attacked and are receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The two who were livestock traders were said to have been found with three stolen cows among 24 which they had bought at Lomut Market where they were arrested, taken to Court in Kapenguria law courts, released on bond and later found killed.
This has sparked protests from the County leaders who have tasked the government to open an inquest into extrajudicial killings.
A few months ago, two people killed at Kitalakepel area along the Kapenguria road, the son of a businessman was gunned down at Chepchoina area and man was killed at Konyao area.
Speaking in Kapenguria and Sigor areas, the leaders threatened to withdraw support to the Jubilee Administration and move to the opposition if the killings will persist. The leaders gave out a one-week ultimatum to the government to give out a report over the killings.
Led by Governor John Lonyangapuo, they condemned the killings citing that the two were killed in cold blood as they alleged the two might have been shot by police officers.
Lonyangapuo asked the government to put an end to what he said is a spate of extrajudicial killings in the County. He said the number of residents being killed without reasons is rising and nothing is being done about it.
“It’s wrong that a livestock trader who had bought stolen livestock without knowing and later recorded a statement, was taken to court but later he was found murdered,” he said, “The days of killing and smuggling people quietly, silently are over.”
He said such incidences should cease and the law should its own course, urging the government to investigate and arrest the killers.
Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong said that more than ten people are in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital nursing wounds from gunshots.
“This started after the National Police Reservists were disarmed. The DCI should be investigated for giving out wrong reports and doing shoddy investigations. The government is involved in all these happenings,” he said.
Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto expressed concern with the number of residents in the County who have been killed under unclear circumstances. Moroto said they will mobilize residents to do a major demonstration against the suspected extrajudicial killings in the County.
However, West Pokot County commissioner Apollo Okello said that they are investigating how the bodies were found dumped in the forest and that the DCI and police officers are working to ensure the killers are brought to book.