Leaders from West Pokot have given the government a three-day ultimatum to name those involved in what they termed as extrajudicial killings.
Governor John Lonyangapuo, Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, his Kapenguria counterpart Samuel Moroto and a section of members of county assembly said the government is aware of the perpetrators.
The leaders spoke on Tuesday as they joined residents in a peaceful demonstration on the streets of Makutano town.
They carried placards as they marched, condemning security organs for execution of innocent residents.
Some of the placards read , ‘Extrajudicial killings must stop,’ ‘Pokots are not bandits’ and ‘Businessmen are not cattle rustlers’.
The protest followed the recovery of two bodies dumped inside a forest in the neighbouring Elgeyo Marakwet.
The dead were livestock traders said to have been found with three stolen cows among 24 they had bought at Lomut market.
They had been arrested, taken to the Kapenguria law courts and released on bond, only to be found killed.
“We depend on livestock and it has helped transform our lives for many decades and we shall not stop rearing animals,” Lonyangapuo said.
The governor said leaders will not allow the killers to go scot-free.
The county has lost a lot of revenue since the incident occurred.
“As a county, we normally collect between Sh200,000 to Sh300,000 on market day at Chepareria, but since the incident occurred there has been no business. They were mourning one of their own,” the governor said.
Moroto wondered why the security forces are targeting businessmen who are stable and ready to help others grow in the sector.
He said those killed had accepted to record statements and be taken to court.
Lochakapong called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate DCI officers at Pokot central subcounty since it’s the one misleading Kenyans and authorities.
“If the officers have failed to get enough evidence to prosecute people they should resign since killing people is not solving the problem,” he said.
The leaders asked the government to compensate families of all those who have lost lives in hands of police officers.
(Edited by O. Owino)
