Tensions are high in Mt Elgon in Bungoma County after seven people were allegedly killed on Monday night by the Sabaot Land Defense Force (SLDF).
Two girls were hacked to death and two elderly men shot dead in the Chepyuk Settlement Scheme. A young boy is said to have succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning.
Residents are said to have armed themselves, and went after suspected assailants. Three suspects were lynched at Murwani Village as they tried to flee for their lives.
Cheptais Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Momanyi said there is need to disarm the youth who are on a revenge mission following yesterday’s incident.
“This region has been in the news for the wrong reasons and we suspect that the former fighters of the Sabaot Land Defence Force are on a revenge mission, targeting people who they suspect might have leaked their names to the security apparatus,” he said adding that ”we will deal with the killers mercilessly.”
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In February, the SLDF militia were rumored to have been regrouping when three of its members were killed by locals after they reportedly killed an old man whose remains were recovered in Mt Elgon forest.
The militia has been in existence since 2005 and has been accused of killing over 600 people. The rise of the militia has been attributed to the widespread unemployment among young men and conflict over scarce land resources.
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