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Now MPs Blame Politician Over Clashes
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 22 July 2007 23:09
Attacks were organised against the Kisii - although they and the Maasai have no differences - because the unnamed person feared for his political position, it was claimed.
The charges came from Mr Zephania Nyangwara (Bomachoge, Kanu) while asking Parliament to discuss the clashes as a matter of national importance.
As he spoke, a reconciliation meeting on the border of the two districts was disrupted when cattle raiders attacked a nearby village.
Mr Nyangwara said the first attacks coincided with a harambee that former minister Simeon Nyachae was to hold in Trans Mara and was aimed at discrediting him.
More than 21 people have been killled, cattle stolen and property worth millions of shillings destroyed in the fighting, which started three months ago.
Mr Nyangwara said the unnamed leader told a public rally in Trans Mara that Mr Nyachae, Kanu's most prominent rebel, would never be allowed to hold a funds-drive in the district because of his political stand.
The Kisii and Masaai had lived peacefully over the years, he said, and it was noteworthy that the clashes had broken out ahead of the General Election, as in 1992 and 1997.
Mr Henry Obwocha, (West Mugirango, Ford Kenya) said the new round of violence coicinded with the defeat of Kanu during the January by-election in South Mugirango, which was won by Mr James Magara (Ford Kenya).
He asked: "Why punish people because they have an alternative view? The police are fully involved."
He said Police Commissioner Philemon Abong'o had not bothered to visit the troubled areas.
Mr Nyachae blamed the clashes on the Government and said security minister Marsden Madoka had avoided visiting the district border because he knew who were behind them.
He asked why an assistant minister in Mr Madoka's ministry had falsely promised the House before it went on recess that "his boss" would tour the clash areas.
The failure by senior Government officials to visit the conflict area showed the Government was involved, he said
"Let us not give the wrong impression; the clashes are not between the Maasai and the Kisiis. The police commissioner talked about 1,500 Kisiis raiding a police station; how did he get the number without touring the clash areas?"
But Defence Minister Julius Sunkuli blamed the Kisii for the troubles, saying they had been started for political reasons.
Mr Sunkuli claimed the clashes were meant to unite the Kisii behind their Presidential candidate and accusations against the Maasai were mere propaganda.
Mr Nyangwara, he said, had changed camps and now supported the Kisii presidential candidate, a reference to Mr Nyachae.
"The Maasai are having nothing at all to do with this. It can only push us further away from the Kisiis. We are being subjected to a war of propaganda. They must know that we do not have spare children," said the minister.
He denied claims that he was behind the clashes and pointed out that he was the only Maasai representative in the area while Kisii had nine MPs, five of whose constituencies bordered Trans Mara.
"This fight began because the Maasai face the danger of occupation. The theory that Kisiis have some land in Trans Mara does not apply," he said.
Mrs Charity Ngilu (Kitui Central, SDP) blamed President Moi for the hostility, alleging that the President was briefed before the violence began.
Mrs Ngilu challenged the President to speak out openly on the clashes. She said the real reason for the violence was that the Head of State was fighting a politician from the area.
Mr Paul Muite (Kabete, Safina) said he had visited the area and talked to some of the victims who complained about police brutality.
One resident had blamed the Government for starting the clashes. Why does this happen when the elections happen? They target the Kisii and Maasai and we wonder who will be next, he said.
"It is not right to use human sacrifice. This is a dress rehearsal in preparation for an escalation of this clashes in the urban areas by the time the elections draw near," he said.
He urged Mr Madoka to appoint a select committee to visit the area and report to the House.
Langata MP Raila Odinga called on the Government to examine the root cause of the clashes and call an urgent meeting with leaders of the Maasai and Kisii.
Health Minister Sam Ongeri said he held meetings over the weekend with elders from both sides to try to end the clashes.
He appealed to Mr Madoka to provide his people with security forces to protect Kisii farmers willing to harvest maize in the area.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Mr Madoka said it was regrettable that lives of innocent Kenyans were being lost and assured the House that the Government was doing everything possible to end the clashes.
