Thousands of Dini ya Roho Mafuta Pole Africa faithfuls gathered in Kolowa, Baringo County on Sunday to commemorate the 66th Kolowa Massacre where they pressed the government to compensate thousands of people who were killed.
On 24th April 1950, Lucas Pkech and other believers of Mafuta Pole lost their lives at Kolowo where they had congregated to preach the word of God only to be killed by colonial government who thought they were making war.
Religious leader Lucas Pkech from West Pokot County led over 1,000 congregants from the two counties were mistaken by the colonialists as their opposers.
According to the General Secretary of the Church Apostle Raisti Meskina Julius the colonial government followed them with two lorries of government police from Nginyang and found them at Kolowo where they were resting as they took meals.
“When they realized the presence of government forces, they reacted and launched peaceful demonstration towards them singing and praising God in return they were sprayed with bullets,” said Meskina.
A fight broke out that resulted to great loss of innocent lives in the process of defending themselves with spears against the government who had guns.
Four government officers including the district officers lost their lives.
The ceremony which is crucial to the worshipers was held in Kolowa where the people who lost their lives in the massacre were buried.
A monument in memory of those who killed was constructed and officially opened by West Pokot County Governor Simion Kachapin.
Rev. Peter Chemaswet who is also an historian asked the National government to fast track compensation of the victims who lost their lives in the massacre.
“I would like to tell both the national and county government to take British government to court for the historical injustices committed to Pokot community just like Kikuyu community who were compensated following the killings of Mau Mau fighters ,” said Chemaswet.
Also present in the celebrations, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi who said his county government will collaborate with West pokot county in restitution of historical injustices that were made to the Pokot Community.
“The constitution is clear on historical injustices and we want the British government to tell us why they killed our brothers. They must be compensated since they were tortured, maimed and killed unlawfully,” said West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin.
Tiaty MP, Asman Kamama promised that he will join hands with other leaders from the region to conduct a research which will at the end sue the the British government so that they may get justice just like other victims.