|
PC suspends land allocation
DAILY NATION
Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 2007/04/11
The Government yesterday bowed to pressure from leaders in Mount Elgon to suspend allocation of land at Chebyuk settlement scheme as one more person was shot dead by raiders.
The Government also charged a former MP and a women’s leader with inciting the clashes.
Western PC Abdul Mwasera said allocation of land in Phase Three of the settlement scheme had been put on hold for a month. A committee had been formed to look afresh at the list of beneficiaries to establish whether they were genuine.
On Monday night, a group of gangsters invaded Land B trading centre near Kopsiro police post and killed Mr Benson Machawera, 42, retired bishop of Mission Save our Souls Church.
They also seriously injured retired administration officer Musa Serut, 58, a brother of Mount Elgon MP and Planning assistant minister John Serut.
Travel to Uganda
And the adverse effects of the violence have spilled over to neighbouring districts. Traders from Bungoma, Butere, Kakamega, Mumias and Busia now travel to Uganda to buy food.
Initially, they bought food — mostly grains — from the troubled region for sale in neighbouring districts that largely grow sugarcane. “We used to buy food from Mt Elgon but because of the clashes, we now look for it in Uganda,” said Mrs Juliet Mayepe, a trader based in Mumias.
The clashes between the Ndorobo and Soy clans have claimed more than 140 people, according to humanitarian organisations operating in the area.
In Kitale, a former MP and a women’s leader were yesterday arraigned in court on claims that they were behind the clashes.
Mr Samuel Moiben and Trans Nzoia branch Maendeleo ya Wanawake treasurer Jennifer Masis denied the charges and were freed on bond.
Separately, Local Government minister Musikari Kombo accused the Western provincial administration of laxity in quelling the mayhem.
Resolve conflict
Speaking to Kenyans living in New Jersey, the US, the Ford Kenya chairman urged the Government to move fast and stop the killings.
He also challenged political leaders from the region to resolve the feud.
Science and Technology minister Dr Noah Wekesa who accompanied him, asked the Government to beef up security at Trans Nzoia/West Pokot district border.
Reports by Benson Amadala, Bernard Kwalia, George Omonso, Michael Mugwang’a and Peter Ng’etich
|
