|
Mt Elgon refugees now flee to
Nandi
Story by NATION Correspondent
Publication Date: 11/8/2007
Refugees from the troubled Mt Elgon district have entered Nandi
region, the Government announced on Wednesday.
More than 140 people had fled to Nandi, about 100 kilometres from
their home, said Nandi North District Commissioner Mabeya Mogaka.
The residents have sought refuge in Kipkono and Koimus trading
centres. Speaking to the Nation, Mr Mogaka said 47 people had
settled at Kipkono trading centre while 100 had sought refuge at
Koimus.
“Kipkaren District Officer has already visited them and I will go
there personally to find out the status of the people,” said Mr
Mogaka.
He said he was liaising with the Special Programmes ministry to
help send relief food to the two places.
The refugees are among more than 5,000 families that have fled Mt
Elgon following fresh violence in which 11 people have been killed
in the past two weeks.
More than 200 people have been killed in the district since the
beginning of the year, and more than 60,000 others have been
displaced in land feuds between the Ndorobo and Soy clans.
The latest 5,000 fleeing families from Kapsokwony, Kaptama and
Kopsiro divisions have sought refuge in neighbouring Trans Nzoia,
West Pokot, Uasin-Gishu and Bungoma districts.
Others have crossed into Uganda as police and militia continued to
clash.
Gunned down
Militiamen suspected to be from the Sabaot Land Defence Forces
beheaded three people, among them a teacher at Kamner, while
police officers are said to have accidentally gunned down two
students and a farmer in the area on Friday.
More than 800 houses, including food granaries, were burnt in the
new violence.
District commissioner Mohammed Biriki said security had been
beefed up and asked residents to remain calm.
|
