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Military to quell clashes in Mt
Elgon
March 10, 2008
EA STANDARD
By Biketi Kikechi
Eldoret Airstrip was turned into a military base after hundreds of
officers landed in preparation of today’s operation in Mt Elgon
District.
Hundreds of residents jammed the Eldoret-Iten road to witness the
mobilisation of troops, most of them from Gilgil.
Among the aircraft to be used in the operation are two Puma and
three attack helicopters, and seven canons towed by camouflaged
Land Rovers.
"They are heading for Mt Elgon tonight," said former Keiyo South
MP, Mr Nicholas Biwott, who was at the airstrip.
Last week, the Government announced it would flush out members of
Sabaot Land Defence Force.
The ragtag militia group, which claims to fight for land, has
killed about 546 people in the past one-and-a-half years.
The soldiers were to be moved to the area under the cover of
darkness in a fleet of more than 40 trucks.
Also in the fleet were two ambulances and trucks carrying food, a
fuel tanker and ammunition.
The attack helicopters flew to Mt Elgon at about 6pm, minutes
before a Bufalo transport plane arrived with more soldiers from
Gilgil.
Sources said the contingent comprises the army, paramilitary
police and Administration Police officers, and parachute squad
from Gilgil.
The soldiers cooked lunch at the airstrip before meeting their
commanders for briefing.
Residents of Mt Elgon asked the Government not to punish innocent
people.
While appreciating the move, they feared the soldiers might injure
non combatants.
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