Photo - Panic As Missing Residents Are Discovered in Mass Graves in Kenya

 

Bodies of several residents of Mandera County who had disappeared from the town were found in a mass grave on Monday evening, December 7th.

 

They were said to have been victims of suspected forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by security agencies.

 

The Star reports that about 59 people had been reported missing in the area previously before a mass grave was later found on Monday evening. In the grave, 12 bodies were found, including that of a mother of five, Isnina, a tea vendor in the area.

 

 

According to an anonymous eye witness, Isnina was reportedly kidnapped from her kiosk opposite Al-Furqan mosque last Wednesday, December 3, by plain clothed officers in a civilian car.
 

 

Condemning the killings, Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow said:
 

“I want to express my utter disgust and condemnation of the extra judicial killings by our security agents once again. The discovery of mass graves in Mandera yesterday evening is a clear indication that this evil process of extermination of suspects in total disregard of due process is the norm rather the exception. Leaders from the county will meet this morning to plan a course of action. Clearly, this has gone too far and must stop. Its time we say no, not just as leaders but as a society too.”

 

The Kenya Defense Forces, Rapid Deployment Unit, Anti-Terror Police Unit and the National Intelligence Service have been accused of kidnapping and killing terror suspects.

 

However, Police spokesperson, Charles Owino defended security agencies saying anyone with proof they were involved should present it.

He said: “No one has reported anything to us. Let them officially report to us for forensic investigations to be carried out and victims identified. I can invoke my mother’s name in saying that we did not send any security officer to kill any innocent person.”