In most cases, whenever a person dies, people heap praises on him/her without focusing on their bad side, but however this is not the case with former Mt. Elgon MP John Serut.
Serut succumbed to cancer on Wednesday at 3.45am at Nairobi Hospital. The former lawmaker has been battling multiple myeloma since January 2020.
He represented Mt. Elgon in Parliament for two terms from 1998-2007 before losing the seat to Fred Kapondi after the 2007 General Elections.
Serut had planned to make a comeback in this year’s elections but unfortunately that did not live to pass.
It is evident that he is among the most hated politicians in Kenya because he was linked to the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SDFL) and Janjawit militia groups that committed crimes and atrocities against humanity between 2005-2008 in Mt. Elgon.
Serut is said to have worked for SDFL militia group and fell out with its leaders in 2007Â before the general elections according to a Human Rights Watch publication. Due to the fallout he was almost assassinated by gunmen as he was speaking outside the District Commissioner’s office in Kapsokwony in May 2007.
According to the Western Kenya Human Rights Watch, 615 people were killed and 50, 000 others internally displaced within the period that SDFL operated in the region.
Those killed were either burnt alive in their houses, died of gunshot wounds or cuts as others became victims of rape and robbery. Young boys were forcefully recruited to join the group.
Those who were opposed to them were tortured and maimed and they demanded for tax from everyone who had a regular income among other crimes.
While appearing before the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) in Parliament in July 2011, Serut denied any involvement with the militia groups.
In October last year, his daughter Michelle Serut requested financial help to clear his medical bill that had accumulated to Kshs5 million, and instead of receiving support, her dad’s dark past was brought up.
A Twitter user claimed that the deceased murdered his two relatives because they refused to join his Janjawit crew, that he had formed for his ill motives.
More and more Kenyans on Twitter also narrated their encounter and the stories they had heard about the dark past of Serut.
“I saw one chilling documentary some time back about Mt Elgon killings, this name John Serut was mentioned in the entire docu…. Kumbe malipo ni papa hapa duniani….. They even used Matakwei then had him killed Wuehhh,” Sunday Steve tweeted.
An audio was also shared of Serut issuing threats to a university student back in 2015.
Former Mt. Elgon MP John Serut threatening a university student back in 2015. Boasting of how he has alot of money and how he can make the boy disappear.
Right now he is begging for money to cover his medical bills. pic.twitter.com/zSnrSoh5be— Onorpik (@Onorpik) October 14, 2021
Michelle however said that she would still defend her father despite the accusations levelled against him since they could not be proved.
Following Serut’s death, a number of Kenyans on Twitter reacted coldly towards the news and below are some of their comments.
“Rest in pieces Mt Elgon warlord John serut . Your victims can finally have some comfort now that you are gone. The family should consider reparations to the victims of violence to remove the burden of blood from their hands,” Raheem Sterling said.
Bianca wrote, “John Serut & Fred Kapondi committed alot of atrocities in Mt Elgon & got away with them because of political patronage.I hear John Serut succumbed to cancer last evening. Well, I will not mourn him.”
A number of leaders including DP William Ruto and Ford Kenya Leader Moses Wetang’ula have however termed him a leader who fought for the well being of Mt. Elgon locals.
“Mheshimiwa John Serut was a firm, bold and vocal politician who served the people of Mt Elgon with distinction. He was a gifted debater, persistent and a fighter for equal justice. We honour the rich legacy that he leaves behind,” DP Ruto said.
RELATED STORY:John Serut’s Medical Appeal Gone Wrong As Netizens Get Bitter Over His Dark Past
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