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Families fleeing violence stranded in Kisii.
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 22:41
The worst affected were those who fled parts of South Nyanza and headed for their homes in central Kenya. Others camping at the Kisii DC's compound were escorted to Kisii town on their way to Kuria District.
Ms Jane Robi, who was fleeing to her home in Kuria District, said: "I was lucky to have made it to Kisii through volatile Kericho." Another victim, Mr John Mwangi, said he paid for his freedom to get to Kisii town from Sori in Migori District.
"I had to hire escort from police and youths from local communities to pass through dangerous spots," said Mwangi. Senior police officers in Kisii said they were helpless and could not escort desperate families to their destinations.
"After our colleagues were killed as they escorted some families, we can't risk again," a senior policeman said on condition of anonymity.
Those camping at the Kisii police station and the DC's office accused the Government and civil society of neglecting them. Ms Mary Wairimu said: "We survive by the grace of God. The Government has not provided food to our starving families."
Wairimu said they arrived from Mbita three days ago, but by on Thursday they had not eaten, save for fruits Good Samaritans had given them. Some of the displaced families were received and accommodated by sympathisers in Kisii and its environs. Other families fleeing Kisumu and parts of the Rift Valley arrived in Kisii town. Relatives picked them from the town.
On the Kisii-Kisumu road, public transport services were paralysed as protestors blocked roads with huge boulders.
Many families willing to leave their camps were advised to get means of transport and the police would escort them for free.
Nyanza PPO, Ms Grace Kaindi, said:
"We have run short of vehicles and the only assistance we can offer is police escort. If the families can get a vehicle, we are ready to escort them to safe areas."
