The operation which started on the 10th of March is now on its fourth week and we wish to update the public on the progress made so far.

During our press briefing on the 14 of March 2008, we outlined the mission of Operation Okoa as to arrest and bring to justice persons responsible for the crimes committed in this area, recover all illegally held firearms, Create an enabling environment for the population to cooperate with the Police in the investigation of serious crimes reported without fear of retribution, Prevent commission of further crimes in the area and Restore Law and Order in the region. We shall now brief you on each of these items.

To arrest and bring to justice persons responsible for the crimes committed in this area:

So far 1735 suspects person have been arrested, 1324 were released after interrogation, 37 are in custody pending further investigations and 374 have already been charged in court with the relevant criminal offences.

Recovery of illegally held firearms:

41 AK47 rifles and over 1000 (1027) rounds of assorted ammunition, hand grenades and other incendiary materials have been recovered.

To create an enabling environment for the population to cooperate with the Police in the investigation of serious crimes without fear of retribution:

This is where we have registered the greatest success so far. For example, on the 2nd of April 2008, a gang of six bandits from a local criminal gang abducted 3 married women and forced them to carry potatoes into the forest. They warned the relatives of the poor women not to report to security officers on patrol.
Unfortunately for them and fortunately for their victims, the local population has been emboldened by firm action by Operation Okoa Maisha. No sooner had they turned their backs than a member of public rushed and reported to security officers on patrol. The gang was immediately pursued and found in a river bed subjecting the women to inhuman torture. Their attempt to resist arrest by firing at the security team led to a shoot out. Three of the bandits were fatally injured and 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 43 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

The local community identified one of the killed bandits as the person who was in charge of mutilating those who failed to pay protection fees by the name Raphael Bera alias Chui. His accomplishes have also been identified.

On the 15th of March 2008, the public gave information to police that another bandit leader by the name David Sichei was transporting ammunition in a private car along Kapenguria- Kitale road with three of his accomplishes. Police laid an ambush camouflaged as a normal police check point. As the vehicle was being searched the gang attempted to grab a firearm from a police officer. Police responded instantly and in the ensuing struggle Sichei and his accomplishes were killed. Sichei had been associated with 9 cases of murder and 14 reported cases of rape.

To prevent commission of further crimes in the area:
Since the operation started no case of murder, rape, extortion, stealing of livestock has been reported in Mt. Elgon and neighboring areas. The single case of abduction reported on 2nd April 2008 was promptly dealt with.

Restore Law and Order in the region:
We would like to report that several schools in the area are now fully operational and teachers who had fled the area have now reported and working. However 20 primary schools and 4 schools in Chebyuk Division are yet to open.

Torture.

Attention of Police Headquarters has been drawn to a complaint of torture by one Musa Olokoit who has gone to the media. We would like to advice Musa and any other person having such complaints to report to the nearest police station so that the complaint can be investigated and further dealt with according to the law.

We would also wish to inform the public that there are cases where suspects arrested by members of public were assaulted before they were rescued by police. The Criminal Procedure Code provides that police will re-arrest suspects arrested by private citizens and inquire into the allegations. In accordance with the law investigations have been carried out and where evidence was sufficient they have been arraigned in a court of law. Where there was no evidence, the suspects have been offered medical treatment by the military’s mobile clinics and released.

Social responsibility.

We would also want to inform the public that apart from supporting the security operation; the military has been running free medical camps as part of Operation Okoa Maisha for the local population. Since the operation started a total of 3,892 including women, children and the old have received outpatient treatment for various illnesses.

To ease transportation of farm inputs, the military has also constructed new rural access road and rehabilitated others. The roads include Chesikaki to Kamarang and from Chesikaki to Forest Guard post roads. A total of 36 kilometers of new rural access roads have been graded or constructed.

We would also like to appreciate the support this operation has received from local professional groups and professionals from this area who had found it difficult to visit their families in the rural areas due to insecurity. You will recall that these groups bore the brunt of the criminal gang some of whom were forced to pay up to kshs 2000 shillings monthly protection fee to the criminals.

We also appreciate the information we have received from local politicians who had been threatened with dire consequences for themselves and their families if they don’t pay 50% of their salaries and other emoluments to the criminal gang.

However, whereas the information given by these groups and individuals in confidence has been very valuable, we encourage them to come out openly and share their experience with Kenyans and also give a objective perspective of what Operation Okoa Maisha has achieved so far.

Finally let me caution the media against unwittingly becoming the propaganda arm of the criminal gang. The Kenya Police Force is once more assuring the public that Operation Okoa Maisha will continue until law and order is fully restored in Mt. Elgon and surrounding areas.

Kiraithe E.K.
For: Commissioner of Police.
5th April, 2008.