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Deal with leaders behind
violence, MPs demand
Story by MIKE MWANIKI
Publication Date: 1/28/2008
MPs from central Kenya Sunday urged the Government to deal more
firmly with those fuelling violence in Rift Valley Province as the
death toll in Nakuru rose to 55.
Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, the MPs accused the
Government of “not doing enough” in stemming the high death rates
and destruction of private property.
Led by Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando, the MPs accused some of
their ODM counterparts of “orchestrating” the violence and called
for their immediate arrest.
“The ethnic violence that has hit Rift Valley was planned and
organised by opposition party officials and local elders and the
authorities should therefore investigate and make sure it is
stopped immediately,” Mr Kabando said.
The MPs cited a recent Human Rights Watch report whose
investigations showed that following the disputed presidential
elections, opposition party officials and elders planned attacks
in the Rift Valley.
According to the report, the attacks, were targeting communities
not indigenous to the province.
Mr Kabando was flanked by Mr Peter Munya (Tigania East), Mr Lewis
Nguyai (Kikuyu) and Mr Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri) during the press
conference at Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi.
Mr Munya asked the Government to ensure all the displaced people
were re-settled in their homes.
“In this country, the issue of indigenous or exotic people living
in a particular area should never arise. It’s the Government’s
responsibility to ensure all those who were displaced are
resettled while their lives and private property are protected on
a 24-hour basis,” Mr Munya said.
The MPs said they had initiated dialogue with “like minded” ODM
MPs from Rift Valley with an aim of stopping the killings and
destruction of private property.
Preach peace
"As Mr Kofi Annan and members of his mediation team continue with
their efforts, we would like MPs - especially those in the trouble
hit areas — to preach peace by touring their respective
constituencies and urging their constituents to live in harmony
irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds,” Mr Munya said.
Mr Nguyai urged police to go an extra mile in providing security
to residents of the Rift Valley who have been severely affected by
the attacks.
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