Controversy has emerged over the exhumation of bodies from pit latrines and caves in Mt Elgon believed to have been buried by the Sabaot Land Defence Forces (SLDF) militia.

Some residents said exhuming the bodies would revive bad memories and create tension among the affected parties while others demanded that they be exhumed for identification purposes and decent burial.

Residents led by a human rights activist Eliud Tendet opposed the exercise, saying it had renewed tension, a situation that would spark new clashes in the district.

DNA tests

Mr Tendet said the move had also resulted in the bereaved families incurring expenses on DNA tests and burial.

Relatives and people whose toilets were used as graves wanted the State to facilitate the exhumation of the bodies.

Mr Eric Sichaka, a resident of Emia location in Kopsiro division, said people could not move to their homes because the SLDF had buried people they killed in their latrines and water wells.

"Most of the people are unwilling to return to their homes because of fears that some spirits might antagonise them," said Mr Sichaka.