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First Lady calls for end to Mt Elgon skirmishes
By KIPNGENO CHERUIYOT, KNA,PPS
KENYA TIMES 17. April. 2007
First Lady Lucy Kibaki has made a passionate appeal to combatants in Mt Elgon district to embrace peace. At the same time a cross-section of leaders have called for an aggressive approach by all parties concerned to end the killings.
This follows recent criticism of Government by civil societies, religious institutions and political leaders on the handling of Mt Elgon land clashes that have led to the loss 150 lives and displacement of several others.
Ms Kibaki told the warring communities to reject incitement by politicians seeking to gain political mileage, saying continued violence will isolate them from the rest of the Kenyan society.
She further urged the communities in the area to surrender their weapons, promising that the Government would consider giving them amnesty.
Said she, “No one has the right to take the life of another. The grievances with the resettlement programme should be resolved through an established Government machinery.”
Ms Kibaki was speaking yesterday at the Kopsiro divisional headquarters in Mt. Elgon district where she distributed foodstuffs to displaced families in the area.
Noting that President Kibaki was deeply concerned with the welfare of the people, she suggested that those whose houses were burnt be assisted to rebuild them.
And while addressing an ODM-K rally in Kenyatta stadium in Maralal, Samburu district yesterday, ODM-K presidential aspirant Raila Odinga urged President Kibaki to visit Mt Elgon to find a lasting solution to the conflict.
At the same time, Home Affairs assistant minister Samwel Moroto is calling for the unconditional release of Mt. Elgon political activist Fred Kapondi to pave way for dialogue.
He said the solution for the conflict was for the Government to initiate dialogue to end the fighting and suggested that elders from the Soy and Ndorobo clans be selected to spearhead talks on how peace in the area can be restored.
He was speaking to the press in Bungoma after visiting Kapondi who is being held at the Nzoia police post in Bungoma South district. Kapondi was arrested last Thursday by CID officers in Bungoma while on his way to attend a peace meeting in Mt Elgon.
First Lady Lucy Kibaki distributes foodstuff to displaced families at Kopsiro divisional headquarters, Mt. Elgon District. Looking on is Western Provincial Commissioner, Abdul Mwasera.
PHOTO/PPS
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