Karanja Njoroge
28 March 2008
Nairobi — Living in a clash-torn region is no reason to flee, Rift Valley PC, has said.
Mr Hassan Noor Hassan said on Wednesday that residents of areas affected by post-election violence should not flee because this causes unnecessary anxiety yet peace had been restored.
He said the movement was a stumbling block to dialogue the Provincial Administration had started among warring communities.
"The movement of people is causing panic yet many areas are calm," the PC said.
Hassan also warned vehicle owners against transporting the property of people fleeing their homes. The PC also slapped a ban on movement of livestock and timber harvesting in the troubled Molo District.
He was speaking during a daylong tour of the district. He said restriction on movement of livestock was aimed at curbing cattle rustling, which often led to violence.
Hassan attributed incidents of lawlessness in Molo to some of the activities. The PC said the Government would not allow the sale of scrap metal in the town and the surrounding areas.
Residents had complained to the PC that criminals were burning houses and rummaging the rubble for scrap metal.
The Government, he added, would ensure that those unable to access their farms due to tribal hostility were accorded security.
Hassan said those returning to their farms to prepare for the planting season would get police protection.
The PC said displaced people would be provided with fertiliser and seeds once they resettled in their farms.
Hassan said movement of people and vehicles on the Olenguruone-Molo road had resumed after the local administration held talks with two rival communities
At the same time, the PC said it was sad that some of the people who were used to cause violence were school children.
He asked: "You have given the children the go-ahead to kill their neighbours. What will stop them from turning against their parents when they grow up?"
The PC, who was with the provincial security team, addressed peace rallies at Molo town, Muchorwe, Keringet, and Olenguruone.
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