Daniel Otieno, Benson Amadala, Ouma Wanzala, Geoffrey Rono and Kennedy Masibo
31 January 2008
Nairobi — Political and religious leaders in Nyanza and Western Provinces have appealed to residents in the region to avoid destroying property.
Kisumu mkokoteni and boda boda operators were back in business yesterday after two days of violence.
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.
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