|
Shops burnt in troubled zone
Story by BERNARD KWALIA and PETER NG’ETICH
Publication Date: 4/4/2007
Four shops were burnt Tuesday at Makutano trading centre in Mt Elgon District, only a day after six people were killed by a militia group.
The shops, located less than a kilometre from Kopsiro DO’s office, were razed at 12.30am.
The Sunday’s killings also happened less than a kilometre away from Kapsokwony Town where a police station and the district commissioner’s residence are located.
Police confirmed
Local police chief David Makokha confirmed the torching of the four shops, saying security officers from the area repulsed the attackers.
“Everything is under control in the area and we are calling on the residents to be calm,” Mr Makokha said.
The incident happened even as it emerged that Sunday’s attackers had sent warning that they were to strike.
The Nation learnt that the attackers, suspected to be Sabaot Land Defence Forces (SLDF), had warned by phone that they would strike the town on April 1.
The militia has also issued another warning that its members were planning to unleash more terror.
A short message service (sms) obtained by the Nation which was directed to the residents of Kapsokwony read in part: “Mulitutoroka Kopsiro lakini tutawafuata mpaka tutawapata” (You ran away from us in Kopsiro but we will pursue you).
By yesterday, the group is said to have sent another warning to the residents of Bondeni in Kaptama division that they will strike the village on April 10.
Town deserted
As we went to press, Kapsokwony Town had been virtually deserted as residents had fled to the neighbouring Kimilili Town in Bungoma District for fear of another attack.
Four schools had been closed. (see related story)
Officials of the Kenya Red Cross Society who have been distributing relief food were the only people who could be seen in the deserted town.
Five main shops in Kapsokwony had been closed down including the post office that serves the area.
Some Government offices had been closed except the police station, the district officer’s office and that for settlement.
Local acting district commissioner John Otieno took some clergymen from the area to Kakamega for talks aimed at restoring lasting peace for all the
residents.
|
