Kenya: Land Dispute Just Excuse To Cause Terror
2010-06-22 14:46:48 Author：Shenlong Security Copyfrom：Shenlong Security
When the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) was formed, it was thought to be just another inconsequential group. But over the last couple of years, the group has transformed into a criminal and extortionist force, killing, maiming and charging illegal levies. The group is said to run a parallel government in the area. They have a tax system, code of ethics and governance system.
The militia has banned illegal brew.
"Nobody dares to go against them. Traditional brews are rare here," says a resident.
They chop of one of the ears of those who defy them.
"That serves as a reminder that we mean business," one militia member was quoted as saying. Fighting over land dates back to 1965. The recent fighting flared up due to controversial phase three allocation of land at Chebyuk settlement scheme. The militia group was formed by the Soy clan to counter the Moorland Force, which was formed by the Dorobo.
Now, the ragtag army has spread its criminal activities to Bungoma West and Trans Nzoia districts. It has left a trail of blood and destruction.
The militia claims to have more than 30, 000 'land warriors'. Surprisingly, some members of the group don army uniforms and have sophisticated weapons. Sources say some of the members of the militia are well trained to use guns and other weapons. The militia is said to have bought sophisticated weapons from Uganda and West Pokot.
Sources say the group receives training from retired security officers-.The militia has hundreds of cells in the three districts. They are well organised and have informers in almost every village.
The group went public in February last year when its 'commander', Wcyliffe Matakwei Komon, spoke to journalists at the edge of the Mt Elgon near Huruma market in Kapsiro division. For the last two years, the Government has carried several security operations but SLDF has managed to outdo the security forces.
Not easy to identify members
Sources say since members of the group are part of the community, and it is hard to pick its followers. Residents also fear reporting to the police for fear of being harassed or killed. The militia's operations are not driven by interest in land anymore. Western Kenya Human Rights Watch officer, Mr Job Bwonya, says the group uses land allocation dispute to cause mayhem and exploit residents.
In December the gang attacked a family along Mt Elgon and Bungoma West districts and hacked to death 12 people, including a pregnant woman and her husband, and dumped their bodies in a disused pit latrine.
The 12 relatives were frog-marched through thickets and steep hills for hours. A witness, Mr Dick Wanyonyi, who escaped narrowly, said the gang had guns and machetes. He says as they walked to the "valley of death", the gang ordered their victims to walk fast, those who could not were hacked to death.
He escaped because he outpaced his colleagues. Mr Benard Nyongesa and his 12 siblings were lucky. However, their elderly mother, Roseline Opakali, was slashed to death and thrown in the pit. Nyongesa, who runs a business at Kimama market, says his mother was at home when the gang struck. He says the attacks had little to do with land.
In Trans Nzoia, residents of Matisi and Embakasi are also in fear. The militia has killed about 23 people in the village.
The group has been accused of the murder of Chebkube councillor Mr Ben Kipnusu and the Chepkurkur assistant chief Shem Cherowo and the burning of houses and crops. The assistant chief, his daughter and two vigilante group members, Mr Samburumo Marara and Mr Job Musavi, are nursing gun shot wounds. The villagers claim members of the group are people they know. The militia group is said to have set camp at Chesokwo and Mt Elgon forests.
Education and economic activities have been paralysed. Farmers fear going into their farms.
