Nairobi — President Moi yesterday exonerated himself from the 1992 ethnic clashes in Molo area. He denounced Kanu rebel MP Kipkalya Kones for implicating the government in the mayhem.

The President said it was not possible for him to have instigated the clashes at a time when he was soliciting votes from all ethnic communities.

The President, who was addressing a public rally at Subukia Primary School, Nakuru District, said the clashes were perpetrated by the combined opposition with the sole intention of denying him votes.

The rally was organised by the Molo MP Kihika Kimani. Among those present were Minister William Morogo and Assistant Ministers Joseph Lotodo and James Koskei.

Others were Subukia MP Joseph Kuria and suspended Nakuru Mayor Herman Nderi. Others were Kanu Kanu branch chairman Onesmus Kimani Ngunjiri, Mr. Hosea Kiplagat and Permanent Secretary Zakayo Cheruiyot.

Over 1,000 people are believed to have died in the violence that also saw hundreds of families displaced. Many of the victims still languish in camps and church compounds.

Findings of a judicial commission appointed to look into the violence have yet to be made public. The commission was headed by an Appeal Court judge, Mr. Justice Akilano Akiwumi.

The President said: "The opposition instigated the clashes in Molo and Burnt Forest areas which were occupied by the Kikuyu, and in Chebilat, Sondu and Kamasai areas occupied by the Kisii, Luo and the Luhya, respectively, to ensure that I did not get any votes from those areas."

"What Kones is saying about the Molo clashes is only known to him," the President said.

Last week, Mr. Kones was questioned by police following reports that he had blamed the Government for the 1992 tribal clashes.

He had been quoted as telling a Limuru fundraising meeting that at the time of the clashes, "I worked in Kanu. I speak the same language as does President, so I know what I am talking about."

He has, however, said he only indicated the Government had the capacity to stop the clashes.

Yesterday, the President said he went to Molo to quell the clashes in the company of Cabinet Minister Joseph Kamotho and other leaders. He said he will be the last person to engage in activities which would threaten the lives of Kenyans.

The President said that his wish was to leave Kenya a united nation after he retires from office in the year 2002.

However the President who rejected by sections of the crowd to extend his term of office said told wananchi that he will show them the way when the time come.

The President thanked Nakuru leaders who supported his directive to the police not to licence political rallies called by the Muungano wa Mageuzi lobby.

The President said he was not interested in petty politics and called on wananchi to reject a group of leaders whom he said lacked vision for the country.

He said as a nationalist he had played pivotal role in the development of the country right from the colonial time when he used to give refugee to Mau Mau freedom fighters.

The President directed the Nakuru District Commissioner, Mr. James Serean and a officer from the Lands office to ensure that a large part of the grounds where the rally was held and which the local AIC Church had been claiming ownership was given to the primary school.

He also directed the church leaders to withdraw a case court which they had filed against parents who had destroyed a fence erected around the grounds.

The President criticised the World Bank and the IMF for insisting that sh 140 million be used in poverty eradication consultation talks instead of being channeled directly to projects which could be of benefit to the people.

Molo MP Kihika Kimani told the President that time had come when Kenyans held a referendum to determine whether he should vie for another term.

The legislator criticised various opposition leaders whom he said were seeking the Presidency along ethnic lines.

He called on Kikuyu community to reject leaders from Central Province whom he said had the habit of inciting them against the government.

Mr. Kimani condemned legislator James Orengo and NCEC official Professor Kivutha Kibwana and " these other youthful mps from Central, Nairobi and Nyanza provinces who specialises only in hurling abuses at the president".

Mr. Kimani said that Kenyans will not elect the future President on the basis of his ethnicity but on his ability to unite the people.

The DP MP criticised Nakuru lawyer, Mr. Mirugi Kariuki for suing the school parent when they demanded that the church cede over the disputed land.

He said the lawyer was demanding that the parents pay sh 265,000 as damages a court suit.