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Open up the roads, MPs tell residents

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Published on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 22:08
Five MPs-elect have called for the opening up of roads barricaded during post-election violence in Rift Valley Province. Mr Kipkalya Kones (Bomet), Mr Otieno Kajwang’ (Mbita), Mr Omingo Magara (South Mugirango), Mr Franklin Bett (Buret) and Mr Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu) said this would allow the resumption of transport operations.

They said people could die of starvation and disease because food and essential drugs were not being transported to western Kenya.

They appealed to residents to stop senseless killings and looting of property following the dispute over presidential election results.
"Let us open up all the major highways. The blockade has adversely affected the economy through non-delivery of drugs, fuel products and other essential goods," Kones said.

He added that it was unfortunate that people who were not indigenous in the province, but had supported ODM in the last elections had been targeted for attacks.

They were speaking in Bomet town on Sunday when they toured the region to appeal to residents to embrace peace. "The country is at a standstill, the economy has been affected and banks are not operating as a result of Kibaki’s failure to concede defeat," Kajw’ang said.

He said ODM MPs would not rest until the party presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga, was installed as President. Magara said there was a possibility of a repeat election and urged residents not to give up.

"Opening up the region and denouncing violence does not mean we are giving up," Magara said. Bett and Ruto said barricading roads had led to an increase in consumer prices and oil companies had not transported fuel products. Ruto said there was need for a ceasefire following the violence that had rocked the region. Lives had been lost and property destroyed