Politics to Blame for Busia, Bungoma Attacks

Inthe early morning of March 2013, Kenyans awoke to the sad news of the hacking of villagers in two counties in the former Western Province.

The attacks were carried out in the dead of the night and systematically from one village to another. Fear gripped villagers in Busia and Bungoma counties not knowing when their homes would be attacked.

And after attacks in nine villages, 10 people were left dead with more than 150 nursing serious injuries.

The police immediately blamed politicians for sponsoring the attacks but the tune later changed as they claimed that the attacks were normal thuggery. No politician was charged with the attacks.

But now, a human rights organisation, Human Rights Watch, thinks otherwise. The organisation believes that the attacks were sponsored by politicians and businessmen from the two counties and neighbouring towns.

The report says local and national businessmen and politicians organised the violence to intimidate rivals and protect sponsors.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko confirmed that no politician was implicated in the violence. The DPP had written to the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo over the matter. He also wanted to know whether any politician was interrogated in connection with the attacks.

According to the DPP, two separate cases are pending in Busia court. Kenneth Okello has been charged with attempted escape while six people have been jointly charged with robbery with violence in connection with attacks at Akapowat village in Busia county.

In Bungoma county, four different cases are pending in court. Three of the cases involve robbery with violence in connection with attacks carried out in Ochunde village. There is also a case pending in Bungoma High Court of murder, although the suspect is still at large.

The report by HRW says the entry of the Amani Alliance into the presidential race in December 2012 contributed to tensions especially in western Kenya. This is because (Musalia) Mudavadi hails from the former Western Province and was expected to wrest support from Raila Odinga's Cord, which had a commanding lead there.