Benjamin Muindi
12 May 2008
Nairobi — Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and two Cabinet ministers Sunday said those who committed crimes against humanity during the post-election violence should be punished.
Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs Martha Karua and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said those involved in the violence should not be allowed to go scot-free.
"We are guided by the National Accord, which is the law, and there will be no amnesty for anybody who committed any form of crime against humanity during the violence," said Ms Karua.
Petty offenders
She said the agreements at the Serena Hotel, which gave birth to the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, should be followed and respected.
"I carried the copies of law to the Parliament and members should be encouraged to make their own copies so that they can always refer to it."
On Saturday during the homecoming of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Agriculture minister William Ruto said those involved in post election violence should be pardoned and start anew.
However, in apparent reply to the minister, Ms Karua said: "The law says that only petty offenders who present themselves to the courts will go unpunished."
On his part, Mr Kenyatta gave the example of Rwandan fugitive, Felicien Kabuga, who is said to have funded the perpetrators of the Rwanda genocide.
"You can run for 20 years but the law will still catch up with you," he said.
They were speaking during the homecoming ceremony of the minister for Public Health and Sanitation Beth Mugo at Ndararua grounds in Kawangware.
The celebration was attended by three ministers, an assistant minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
There was no representative from the Orange Democratic Movement.
Others who attended the ceremony were MPs Erastus Mureithi (Ol Kalou), Nemesyus Warungongo (Kieni), John Mututho (Naivasha) and Clement Wambugu (Mathioya) among other senior civil servants. During the meeting , Mr Mugo urged the people to embrace peace and to humble themselves.
The Vice-President said Kenya has come a long way and should not be left to go to ruin. He told MPs to return to their constituencies and preach peace and help the people with their needs.
At the same time, he said that internally displaced people need to be settled in their original homes and land.
"Those Kenyans who fled to Uganda need to come home. The Government is going to provide enough security for them to live in peace," Mr Musyoka said.
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