Mt Elgon politician's killing linked to controversial cleansing ritual

Nathan Wasama, a politician from Mt Elgon, was shot and killed outside his home on Thursday evening, with his death strongly linked to a planned cleansing ritual involving the felling of two significant fig trees. The ritual, guided by Laibon elders, was intended to address misfortune affecting the Sabaot and Bukusu communities. However, it had faced considerable opposition over the past year from a senior politician in Mt Elgon, who reportedly feared its political repercussions.

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This is a crucial ceremony, but we are facing frustration and intimidation from some senior politicians that the cutting of the fig trees will have a negative political impact.

Wasama, a former Chesikaki councilor and one of the elders involved, had spoken out in January about the frustration and intimidation they faced from politicians seeking to disrupt the ceremony. He noted that the cutting of the fig trees, a practice guided by their forefathers after a century, was being perceived as having a negative political impact.

Residents have directly connected Wasama's killing to the planned ritual and his interest in the Mt Elgon parliamentary seat. One resident, speaking anonymously for security reasons, stated, "The motive is clear: the planned ritual and politics." The community expressed anger when county police commander Anderson Njagi visited Wasama's home, demanding the arrest of the alleged financier of the attack.

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The motive is clear: the planned ritual and politics. Unfortunately, those responsible for Wasama's death are shedding crocodile tears.

Njagi assured residents that five individuals were being pursued in connection with the killing and vowed to address insecurity in the region, which he attributed to illegal firearms allegedly held by elements of the Sabaot Land Defence Forces (SLDF). He announced plans for a security operation to confiscate illegal guns and deal with militia elements operating in the constituency.

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Go for the financier of this killing. We know him, and he should be held accountable.

Meanwhile, Sabaot elders in Trans-Nzoia County, led by former Kitale Deputy Mayor Pius Mzee Kauka, have called for calm. They condemned Wasama's shooting and urged the community to cooperate with the police investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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The government will not allow the return of the dark days. I worked here in 2008, and the scenario was horrifying.