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Leaders call for an end to
violence
Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 1/31/2008
Political and religious leaders in Nyanza and Western Provinces
have appealed to residents in the region to avoid destroying
property.
The leaders were united in their call for a stop to the wanton
looting and destruction of property witnessed in the region over
the last three days in a mission they said was to avenge the
killings of communities from the region in Naivasha and
Nakuru.Property worth millions was either destroyed or looted by
rowdy mobs.
In Kisumu town, Ndhiwa MP Orwa Ojode said it was ‘disheartening’
to see unruly youths take over towns and urban areas in the region.
Anglican Bishop Joseph Wasonga said a sense of reason should
prevail because the effects of the current crisis were bound to
hit the country harder both socially and economically.
Karachuonyo MP George Rege decried the high number of schools
which were yet to be opened in Nyanza and parts of Western.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Muhoroni legislator Prof
Ayiecho Olueny, who said it was the “most backward act to chase
teachers and pupils who had reported to schools under the guise of
protests”.
Learning in at least 10 districts of Nyanza have been paralysed
following incidents where mobs have attacked teachers, prompting
the closure of the institutions.
In Migori, religious leaders called on youths to stop hooliganism
under the pretence of protesting.
Bishop Essau Jobando of the International Caring Ministries said
criminals had hijacked the livelihood of Nyanza residents.
Cane farmers
Already hundreds of cane farmers in the region are counting their
losses after their farms were set ablaze by the protesters.
Several acres of tobacco were burnt in the post-election violence
that saw at least 30 people killed in Migori.
Leaders from Busia, Teso and Samia district have called on
residents to embrace peace and shun violence that was leading to
the destruction of properties and loss of innocent lives.
Mr George Ochokolo, who is the prime minister of Iteso Cultural
Union and chairman of the Kenya chapter, said the loss of lives
was unwarranted and asked ODM leader Raila Odinga to forego the
presidency for the sake of peace. He said people had abandoned
their homes and workplaces and were now staying in camps and it
was upon their leaders to take the common man’s interest first
rather than their own political ambitions.
Mr Ochokolo said in Uganda last year opposition leader Kiza Besgye
decided to shun confrontation with NRM leader Yoweri Museveni for
the sake of his people after the controversial election and the
Kenya opposition should emulate Besgye.
In Samia Funyula MP Dr Paul Otuoma called on western Kenya
residents to remain calm and avoid any form of hooliganism, saying
the massive destruction of properties was unacceptable.
Dr Otuoma said properties were a source of income for thousands of
people in the area and if destroyed most youths could lose their
jobs.
He, however, said the post-election violence being witnessed
across the country was a spillover of injustices to Kenyans such
as the uneven distribution of national resources that must be
addressed.
“We have to sit down and look at the real issues so that we can
come up with a solution that will be acceptable to all Kenyans. We
should not point an accusing finger at one another,” said Dr
Otuoma.
Former Labour Minister Philip Masinde, who is the patron of
Bukhayo association, asked youths to stop destroying properties as
they were the backbone of the economy.
Demonstrating peacefully
These sentiments were echoed by Mjini Ward civic leader Tony
Onyango. Reacting to the post-election violence in Busia town, he
called on the youths to express their discontent over the disputed
presidential election by demonstrating peacefully.
Leaders in Nakuru on Tuesday embarked on peace initiatives in the
town’s estates that were affected by violence.
The leaders, who included newly elected members from both the
opposition and the Government in the Municipality, went around
various areas to encourage the residents to embrace peace and
coexist harmoniously.
The leaders were in a convoy that was given armed security by the
Administration police officers from the District Commissioner’s
office.
The town, which is slowly returning to normalcy, witnessed
unprecedented violence that led to over 80 people being killed.
Reported by Daniel Otieno, Benson Amadala, Ouma Wanzala,
Geoffrey Rono and Kennedy Masibo
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