A gang has killed eight people in Mt Elgon in what police believe were revenge attacks.
Five people, including two elderly men, were shot dead on Monday night and three girls aged less than 12 later hacked to death by a panga-wielding attackers.
The killings from about 10 pm yesterday took place at Masaek and Kutere villages in Kopsiro division within the expansive Chepyuk settlement scheme.
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A mob cornered and lynched two suspects at Murwani village on Tuesday morning as they tried to flee.
Cheptais deputy county commissioner Stephen Momanyi said those behind the killings intended to disrupt peace.
“This region has been in the news for the wrong reasons," he noted.
"We suspect former fighters of the Sabaot Land Defence Force are on a revenge mission. They could be targeting people they suspect gave their names to security agents. We will deal with the killers mercilessly."
But Momanyi also noted a man was killed in Masaek village in April and that it is likely
his relatives or friends want to avenge his death.
The deputy commissioner asked those with illegal firearms to surrender them and residents to submit the names of people they suspect have weapons.
“Those with illegal guns should surrender them to security agencies before an operation to flush out suspects and forcefully recover illicit weapons is launched. We want people to live in peace, not fear."
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