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Twelve Ugandan Nationals Arraigned in Kitale Court Over Alleged Cannibalism

Twelve Ugandan nationals suspected of involvement in acts of cannibalism were arraigned today before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kitale.

The group, aged between 10 and 50 years, was arrested following an intensive weeks-long investigation into multiple reports of missing persons in the area.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Samuel Mokua, the suspects did not enter pleas as the lead investigating officer Sgt Edward Ndemo requested an additional 30 days to complete the inquiry.

Chief Magistrate Samuel Mokua directed that six of the suspects identified as minors undergo medical age assessments in two days while the other six be remanded for two weeks .

“I am directing that the minors be detained at Kitale Police Station for two days to undergo medical evaluation to determine their ages, while the remaining six are to be remanded for two weeks,” Magistrate Mokua ruled.

The suspects are Vincent Masika, Monica Cheptoo, Ruth Nalinda, Noel Khakwana, Stephen Khamnoo, Wilson Poisho, Brian Kibet, Steven Karanja, Martha Cheyech, Paul M. Nabui, Emmanuel Ambale, and Leonard Ambalia.

Originally held in Kapenguria, the suspects were transferred to Kitale for their safety after a violent mob attempted to storm the facility. Outraged residents had earlier set fire to the suspects’ homes and made an unsuccessful attempt to lynch them.

The arrests followed a covert operation by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Kenya Police Service (KPS), who were acting on intelligence linking the group to a series of grisly disappearances allegedly involving the murder, consumption, and disposal of human remains.

In the aftermath of the arrests, angry locals staged a protest along the Kitale-Lodwar Road near the Chesta area, demanding that police hand over the suspects for mob justice.

The police relocated the suspects to Kitale Police Station in an effort to defuse tensions in Kapenguria and ensure the continuation of investigations.

 Demonstrators also called for the expulsion of all Ugandan nationals from West Pokot County, holding them collectively responsible for the alleged crimes.

The protest temporarily blocked traffic on the busy highway until officers from the National Police Service (NPS) intervened and restored order.

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