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Kenya: Let the Healing Begin
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The Nation (Nairobi)
25 April 2008
Posted to the web 25 April 2008
Julius Bosire
Nairobi
Leaders of the Grand Coalition Government came face-to-face with the sorry state thousands of internal refugees live in when they visited camps for displaced families in the Rift Valley Thursday.
For the first time since the disputed December presidential elections, President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka took time to acquaint themselves with the squalid conditions in the refugee camps in the province, which was rocked by clashes attributed to grievances over land distribution.
With a message of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, the leaders began their first day of the national healing at the Eldoret Show Ground and later moved to Cherangany, 70 kilometres away, where more refugees have been camping after they were displaced from the homes in violence that erupted shortly after the presidential election results were released on December 30.
Poll violence
The disturbing experience was visible on the faces of the leaders as they peeped into some of the tents where the refugees have been consigned since the poll violence in which more than 1,200 people were killed and 350,000 others displaced.
The conditions at the camps have been worsened by rains. In Eldoret where they began what they dubbed the "New Kenya" message, the President declared: "Tusameheane na tupendane (Let us forgive and love one another). There is no any other way of developing our nation. This is the message I am taking to all Kenyans in the next three days.
"We are all Kenyans and our home is in Kenya and solutions to our problems will have to come from among us".
His message was echoed by Mr Odinga: "We cannot deliver as a Government if the people are not united. What remains is for our people to unite and lead the nation to prosperity".
Mr Odinga said the Government would discuss the resettlement with various players, including elders, women and the youth to find a lasting solution to the causes of the violence.
President Kibaki pointed out at the leaders from various ethnic communities and political parties, saying: "We are all Kenyans and we have resolved to live together, work together forgive one another and live as friends. We have decided to have a united Kenya.
"I am optimistic that we shall achieve peace and settlement of displaced persons," the President added.
He said his Government would ensure that agriculture was improved for sustainable food production.
"We want to assist farmers so that we don't have any food shortage in the future," the President told the rally at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium.
Protocol hitch
A protocol hitch was displayed in the open when Mr Odinga criticised officials for not recognising that he was closer to the President than the VP in terms of authority. He wanted Mr Musyoka to address the rally before him so that he (Mr Odinga) could invite the President.
Earlier, the leaders visited the Eldoret show ground where internal refugees have been living since December 30.
The President said the problem would be sorted out soon and the families would return to their homes.
And Mr Odinga noted that the election-related violence caused pain among Kenyans, leaving children orphaned and women widowed.
He said that although the majority of Rift Valley MPs wanted to first hold a meeting with the local people before his visit, he insisted on the visit due to the urgent need to resettle the families suffering in the camps.
"Let us not harbour grudges. This is the first time we have a grand coalition government and we want to test its workability," he said. Mr Musyoka said the process of national reconciliation and healing had started. He told a section of the crowd which was jeering him as he spoke: "This is the time of forgiving. Even you (pointing at the group) I forgive you. This is a new Kenya my friends."
He introduced industrialist-cum-philanthropist Manu Chandaria as one of the people who had helped internal refugees.
Agriculture minister William Ruto urged the President to direct the release of people arrested on suspicion that they took part in the post-election violence. The Government should also reinstate chiefs and assistant chiefs interdicted over their failure to execute their duties or preventing violence.
And Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey said: "A lot of water has gone under the bridge. We need to tell the truth and see justice done. We shall not forget, but we can forgive".
Prof Saitoti, the minister for Internal Security, said he envisaged a Kenya with no more bloodshed. "The hatred of the times of politicking is over".
Dr Naomi Shaban, the minister for Special Programmes, urged the youth and women to uphold peace since they were the ones who suffered most when violence broke out.
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The leaders are Friday expected to hold other rallies and visit camps for displaced people in Kipkelion and Sotik before heading to Molo Saturday.
It is very intriguing to hear a Kenyan raising objections to the resettling of the displaced people. It is inhuman, selfish and immoral. When one reads or sees the deplorable state the displaced persons are living in, a human being must be touched. You can imagine the trauma that may now disturb some people for the rest of their lives. Why can’t you be touched? If you are so materially inclined, so you are comfortable and you don’t care about anyone else; when you believe that their resettlement might deny you votes in future elections, because you were voted... [Read Full Text]
If wishes were horses, the writer of this article would be a rich man.
[Or maybe, let us say a "richer man" - since foreign media bosses have a way of rewarding those (local boys) who toe the line and punishing those who do not. Journalists know it as "self-censorship"]]
Chokora, I don’t know if you are Mr or Mrs or even Miss, but I have the following comments to make on your very brief response to the previous article on settling the displaced Kenyans... By the standards of this world, I wouldn’t count myself anywhere near rich, but I would not complain because I am not wanting in things I need. I wouldn’t mind having more, but I would not ‘kill’ to get, like those people who killed or ordered, or sponsored for others to be killed because of having purportedly been cheated in the last Kenya Presidential elections... [Read Full Text]
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