Joel Okwayo
21 January 2008
Nairobi — Two MPs have rejected calls by the Party of National Unity for investigations to establish whether crimes against humanity have been committed in post-election violence.
The ODM MPs, Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Butere) and Mr David Were (Matungu), said the violence was caused by alleged election malpractices.
They said Kenyans were participating in street demonstrations because they were "robbed" of their democratic rights during the elections.
"PNU knows that its presidential candidate never won the polls and it is wrong for Cabinet ministers to claim the party is representing the will of Kenyans," said Oparanya.
He said Kenyans were expressing their anger by holding demonstrations and wondered why PNU and ODM-Kenya MPs were asking ODM to call off mass action.
The legislators were reacting to media reports, which said PNU had called for investigation into incidents of violence.
Assistant minister for Energy, Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri, was quoted saying the acts were premeditated, adding that if crimes against humanity had been committed, those responsible should be held accountable.
Kiunjuri said PNU won the elections and subsequently entered into a coalition with ODM-Kenya to represent the wishes of the majority.
However, Were said PNU should refrain from issuing statements that would fuel animosity.
He said police were provoking the public by attacking them and advised them to keep off demonstrations.
He said Police Commissioner, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali, should stop issuing orders that favour the Government because all Kenyans required protection from the State.
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