By Robert Wanyonyi
Many knew him as a rebel and a murderer who brought suffering to the people of Mt Elgon District.
However, the other side of Wycliffe Komon Kirui alias Matwakei, the self-styled commander of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) was equally interesting.
Matwakei was a family man, a farmer and a village elder.
But interestingly, his church had trusted him and elevated him to the position of a church elder.
In an interview with CCI at her home near Cheptais market, Matwakei’s widow Salome Chepkwemoi said her husband was not as bad as people believed.
Wycliffe Komon Kirui alias Matwakei addressing the press in Mt Elgon forest. His militia killed hundreds of people. |
"I used to hear that people had been killed over the land issue but I did not know my husband was giving orders for the killings. But one day while I was cleaning the house, I stumbled upon a gun!" she narrates adding that is when she realised she was living with a dangerous man.
She says upon confronting him, Matwakei threatened her into silence.
Preaching from Exodus
Because of his influence in the village, he was appointed a village elder but quit after serving for one month.
Chepkwemoi remembers how one evening in 2004 after a hearty meal Matwakei revealed to her that he was forming a militia group to fight for the land rights of the Sabaot. She says he was doing it together with two politicians.
That is when she heard the name Sabaot Land Defence Force for the first time.
"He said it was a difficult task that he would pay with his own life. I told him it was better to live without land than oppose the Government but he couldn’t be dissuaded," remembers the widow.
Morris Sichei, a resident of Mt Elgon says Matwakei was a ‘staunch’ Christian who attended Toroso Pentecostal Church adding he had risen to the position of church elder.
"I remember him preaching from Exodus about the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt. He disappeared into the forest the following day," adds Chepkwemoi.
Matwakei used to cultivate onions, cabbages, maize and sukuma wiki (kales) at his farm in controversial Chepyuk settlement scheme before the Government revoked the allocation.
Secretive commander
The move brought dissent from those evicted prompting him to gather them and form SLDF.
CCI traced two of former SLDF members in Mt Elgon. They had fond memories of a captain who almost landed them in graves.
Edward Cherono alias Russia and Simon Kirui alias Sniper, who surrendered to the Government, remember Matwakei as a ruthless and secretive commander.
Salome Chepkwemoi, the widow of the fallen SLDF leader at her home in Cheptais Division, Mt Elgon District. Photos: Peter Ochieng/Standard |
"He split us into regiments of 30 people led by a deputy commander. Each group was assigned an operation area. Matwakei passed orders and received information through the deputies. He never talked to us directly," reveals Cherono.
He says those who defied orders faced a punishment of 100 whips or even death depending on the gravity of the offence.
"At one time he ordered us not to kill a certain businesswoman but an SLDF member had already shot her dead the previous night. He was very angry when he was informed that I witnessed the shooting," remembers Cherono.
Kirui tells of how Matwakei led a slippery life before the arrival of the military.
He says most police officers could not recognise him adding he passed through police roadblocks unnoticed.
"I used to operate a motorbike taxi at Cheptais and I ferried him home regularly. The police stopped us at a roadblock. I was so scared but the officers only waved at us to pass after asking ‘Habari ya mkubwa’ (How are you boss?) My boss did not appear bothered," remembers Kirui.
Kirui confirmed that Matwakei used to sleep in his house until the time the military arrived for Operation Okoa Maisha.
"He used to sneak in at night to see his children. Sometimes he brought them gifts and talked of hope of a lasting solution to the land conflict. But he wasn’t able to witness the peace," regrets Chepkwemoi.
Fall of a killer
"He came home and told me life in the forest was difficult due to the army operation. I beseeched him to surrender but he vowed to die like a man, fighting," she reveals.
He said the boys had faith in him and he could not abandon them.
"Three days later, I was asked to go to Kapkoto Army Base. And there he lay dead, complete with the clothes he was wearing the night he was home," added Chepkwemoi. He had been shot dead by military officers who restored peace in the volatile area.
