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Lobby appeals to Kibaki
Story by NOAH CHEPLOEN and KEZIAH KANYI
Publication Date: 5/7/2007
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has demanded that President Kibaki resolve the insecurity problem facing the country to stop any further bloodshed.
Speaking during the launch of the political accountability manifesto in Nakuru, commission chairman Maina Kiai said that insecurity had reached alarming levels while the police seemed unable to rein in the terror gangs.
He said that it was the responsibility of the President to ensure that Kenyans are safe, and if they are not, he should admit that the country is indeed facing a crisis.
“It is a national crisis because Kenyans are no longer safe everywhere and President Kibaki should talk about it loudly and in public, so that people can listen,” he said.
At least 10 people were killed in Kitale on Friday for unclear reasons. Over 140 others have been killed in the ongoing land violence in Mt Elgon.
Mr Kiai blamed politicians, who he said, had divided Kenyans along tribal lines for their selfish gains.
Mr Odenda Lumumba of the Kenya Land Alliance, noted that irregular allocation of land was a cause of the clashes and added that the land question should be resolved once and for all. He added that the new districts that have been dangled to wananchi for political reasons could trigger more trouble in future.
Mr Lumumba lamented that the creation of the districts rested solely on the whims of the incumbent President.
Mr Kiai and Mr Lumumba urged Kenyans to vote out politicians who brought divisions among them under the guise of majimbo (regionalism). They advised that this was a legitimate matter which should be pushed in a legitimate manner.
The human rights commission and the Movement for Political Accountability launched a charter that would see political leaders and aspiring candidates sign a contract binding them to the expectations of the wananchi ( citizens).
The agreement demands that the MPs must reduce their salaries by half upon being elected to office, among
others.
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