Army accused of torturing hundreds

More than 400 Mount Elgon residents in Kenya were tortured by the military during efforts to flush out the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) militia. It has emerged that they were held at Bungoma prison after suffering physical injuries from the beatings. The Citizen notes that the tortured victims were mainly males from the Sabaot community between 15 and 55 years old. The military was sent to Mt Elgon after residents complained of frequent attacks by SLDF members. The Independent Medico-legal Unit, with the help of other organisations, will offer free legal advice and representation for those who plan to sue the state for torture. The organisation said it would call on all human rights groups to press for the punishment and prosecution of security personnel who abused human rights.