|
Minister criticised over Mt Elgon clashes
THE STANDARD
15. April 2007
By Edith Fortunate, Stephen Makabila and Daniel Nzia
Internal Security minister, Mr John Michuki, came under renewed criticism for allegedly taking the Mt Elgon crisis lightly.
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General, Mr Francis Atwoli, accused Michuki of failing to end the clashes.
Kanu nominated MP, Mr Mutula Kilonzo, said it is shameful to have Kenyans killing each other while the Government does very little to stop the clashes.
Law Society of Kenya chairman, Mr Okong’o Omogeni, insisted that Michuki visits the troubled district. Atwoli blamed the minister for failing to listen to those who were behind the clashes.
"We have heard that journalists have talked to those affected by the clashes, do you mean the minister cannot send his agents to stop the clashes?" posed Atwoli.
He spoke to The Sunday Standard at Cotu headquarters, where he confirmed that labour leaders from Africa would celebrate Labour Day in Kenya.
He said President Kibaki had been invited to the event at Uhuru Park. Mutula termed the Mt Elgon clashes, in which more than 150 people have been killed, as an embarrassment.
"This is an embarrassment to the country. It is a return to the infamous 1992 and 1997 clashes that led to the loss of many lives, displacement of thousands and destruction of property," he said.
Speaking in Mbooni, Kilonzo, who is the Opposition Shadow Attorney General, linked the clashes to politics and accused the Government of being insensitive.
The LSK council, which was on a fact-finding mission in Mt Elgon, warned the clashes were likely to take a regional perspective. The council members said the clashes were likely to threaten national stability, given that some of the militias were allegedly from neighbouring Uganda.
"The magnitude of this problem requires the Internal Security minister to visit here and inspire his officers," said Omogeni at the Mt Elgon District Commissioner, Mr Kutswa Olaka’s office.
Omogeni was accompanied by the LSK National vice-chairman, Mr Justus Munyithia, the North-Rift branch chairman, Mr Simon Lilan and the Deputy Secretary General of the East Africa Law Society, Mr Otiende Amollo. Last Sunday, Archbishop Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki called on the President to sack Michuki over the clashes in the
district.
|
