Oliver Mathenge
15 September 2008
Nairobi — A new report on insecurity in the country has called on leaders to deal with the remaining issues highlighted in the Kofi Annan-led talks.
The report, "Exertions of Protecting Rights to Life and Security in Kenya" and compiled by the Release Political Prisoners Trust, says that unemployment, impunity, poverty and corruption are fanning a rise in insecurity.
The report details rights abuses by outlawed militia groups and state security agents from June 2007 to July 2008 and says that Nairobi, at 41.2 per cent, recorded the highest number of violations.
During the same period, police in Nairobi killed 465 people while militia groups killed 264, the report says.
Molo, Kuresoi and Njoro recorded the second highest number of violations at 19.6 per cent.
But unlike Nairobi, 75 per cent of the killings were said to have been the work of militia groups and civilians.
The militia groups comprise of unemployed youths who engage in lawless activities. They are reported to have been involved in the political violence following the 2007 polls.
Launching the report at the Hilton, nominated MP Rachel Shebesh accused politicians of using and dumping youths. The ODM legislator said that scores of legislators were major sponsors of proscribed groupings.
"The issue of youths disappearing is not new to this country and the funders of the so-called proscribed groups are in Parliament," she said.
Ms Shebesh said that instead of killing youths involved with the outlawed groups, the Government must deal with unemployment and poverty.
The ODM legislator also criticised the Government for setting up what she called "PR ministries".
Tools
She said the ministries of Youth Affairs and Gender were public relations tools for the Government as they have no capacity to fight unemployment and steer affirmative action among the youth and women.
Release Political Prisoners Trust chairperson Njeri Kabeberi said the Government was yet to make security a priority and had shown little commitment in addressing poverty.
"Unless we deal with security as a human rights issue, we are not likely to be called a developed country any time soon.
"As a start we must eradicate the shoot-to-kill order and impart police officers with skills to make investigations," Ms Kabeberi said.
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