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MPs propose measures to end fighting
Story by NATION Reporter and Correspondent
Publication Date: 4/4/2007
A ceasefire of rival forces and amnesty of militias are some of the measures Rift Valley MPs want the Government to adopt to end the fighting in the Mt Elgon.
The 13 MPs also want members of the provincial administration, police and lands department removed from the area.
In their radical proposals, the MPs want all land allocations in the district halted until an agreeable formula was worked out.
They also propose that elders from the communities in the area be involved in meetings to pacify the militias who should surrender their weapons immediately in a place of chosen by the Government.
In addition, the MPs want all individuals who were arrested following clashes in Chebyuk settlement scheme released unconditionally and the closure of the district for security reasons lifted.
MPs led by ODM Kenya chairman Henry Kosgey, presidential aspirant William Ruto and nominated MP Franklin Bett, called on President Kibaki to visit the area and seek reconciliation of warring clans.
A general amnesty
They also asked Parliament to address the matter since the Executive had failed and was using “draconian” ways to resolve the dispute
They said in a statement: “A general amnesty should be given to the so-called Saboat Land Defence Forces (SLDF) and other persons police are looking for. Those with weapons should surrender them to police at a designated point.”
The Government should also investigate former district officers, land officials and politicians from the area over their involvement in dubious land deals.
They criticised the approach being used by Internal Security minister John Michuki, saying force will not resolve the land problem in the area.
The MPs, who were speaking at Parliament buildings after a two-hour meeting, said the Government should give amnesty to SLDF if it wanted a peaceful resolution of the clashes.
Elsewhere, women organisations called upon the Government to sets up a special fund to support the displaced, bereaved, maimed and survivors of the fighting.
Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, the chair person of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation, Mrs Rukia Subow, said she had received claims that some women were being sexually harassed by armed
militia.
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