allAfrica.com: Kenya: Kibaki and Raila Seek to Heal Ethnic Wounds (Page 1 of 3)

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday sought to get the country on a healing mode, with an appeal to Kenyans to take cue from their working relationship and foster peace and reconciliation.

President Kibaki addresses a peace rally at Moi Stadium on Saturday. Photo/JOSEPH KIHERI

On the third day of their high-profile peace tour of the Rift Valley, the two leaders addressed peace rallies in Molo, Kuresoi and Naivasha, some of the areas hardest hit by the violence following the disputed presidential election.

"If I and Raila are together, why are you isolating yourself instead of joining us so that we can walk in one direction?" the President asked a crowd in Molo.

President Kibaki said he was concerned that wananchi at the grassroots continued to harbour grudge against each other while leaders at the national level were working together.

The President and Mr Odinga later flew to Kuresoi and Naivasha for other rallies while Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka headed for Nairobi over the prison warders' strike.

The President said the government was committed to addressing the plight of the internally displaced persons and urged them to appreciate the efforts being made to alleviate their suffering.

"You should also not feel that so and so is responsible for all your suffering. You should be ready to reconcile and forge forward. You cannot achieve much by dwelling on the past," the President said.

The President said Kenyans were free to own property in any part of the country and urged those with valid grievances to present them to the government through legitimate channels.

"Those who feel that they have rights which they need to pursue should follow the legitimate channels and the government will listen to them," he said.

Those present were Internal Security minister George Saitoti, Mr William Ruto (Agriculture), Mr Samuel Pogishio, (Information and Communication) and Dr Naomi Shaaban (Special Programmes). Others were Prof Hellen Sambili (Youth and Sports), Mr Kipkalaya Kones (Roads) and Mr Dalmas Otien (Public Service).

Assistant ministers were Mr Lee Kinyanjui, Dr Wilfred Machage and Mr Asman Kamama, and MPs Mr Joseph Kuina (Molo), Mr Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi) and Mr Franklin Bett (Buret) also attended.

Earlier on there was confusion at the main dais when Prof Saitoti invited Mr Odinga to address the gathering, who in turn sat down without inviting the Vice-President to speak.

However, Mr Musyoka proceeded to the microphone and addressed the meeting.

A section of the crowd booed as Mr Ruto, Mr Kones and Mr Bett were being introduced to the gathering. The three represent constituencies that were also affected by the violence.

Prof Saitoti had to ask the local MP to calm the crowd to enable Mr Ruto explain the steps his ministry had taken in addressing the plight of the displaced persons.

Mr Kiuna urged the crowd to respect the leaders whom he said had travelled to the area to find a solution to their problem.

Mr Ruto addressed the meeting after the MP succeeded in calming down the crowd.

However, the crowd cheered loudly when Mr Odinga was introduced.

The Prime Minister arrived at the meeting about 40 minutes after the President arrived at 11.20 a.m.

President Kibaki said the government was committed to restoring order in Molo to enable residents live in peace.

He criticised some leaders whom he said thrived on preaching ethnic animosity and hatred, saying their activities would not achieve much for the country.

"You cannot kill all the people and only leave members of your ethnic community. This cannot happen. You must learn to live and work with other people," he said.

The President said he and Mr Odinga had decide to work together due to their desire to see peace prevail in the country.

He commended the Molo MP and the provincial administration for initiating talks amongst members of different ethnic communities living in the area.

The President said Kenyans should not dwell in the past but should instead strive to forge ahead to improve their lives.

Mr Odinga said the government would strive to address the plight of the displaced persons to enable them resume normal life. The Prime Minister said ethnic violence had retarded development in Molo and made it difficult for residents to fend for themselves.

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