Ex-presidents visit victims
Published on January 9, 2008, 12:00 am
By Stephen Makabila
Four former African Presidents visited displaced victims of post-election violence in Eldoret, on Tuesday, and appealed to Kenyans to stop fighting and unite to save the country from collapse.
The four retired Presidents also said they were ready and willing to offer some counsel on how to enable the country come out of its current political crisis, if leaders from the two political divides asked them to do so.
The four, who were accorded heavy security during their tour, were Mr Joaquim Chisano (Mozambique), Mr Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Mr Benjamin Mkapa (Tanzania) and Mr Festus Mogae, (Botswana).
"We were shocked to hear what was happening and we have come to witness and console you. We will meet the leadership from the two opposing sides to reflect on our findings," said Chisano, who was the chairman of the team.
A series of violence, deaths, displacements and destruction of property occurred in most parts of the country last week, after President Kibaki was declared the winner of the Presidential election, which has been disputed by the ODM.
The former Presidents who were accompanied by Rift Valley PC, Mr Hassan Noor Hassan and Eldoret Catholic Bishop Cornelius Korir, toured the Kenya Assemblies of God church in Kiambaa village near Eldoret town, where over 30 displaced victims died after it was petrol-bombed last week.
They also toured thousands of displaced victims camping at the Eldoret Showground and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Eldoret town.
At the Cathedral, Ms Jane Mweru and Mr Kamatu Wandong gave a brief account of what transpired during the violence.
"We are suffering because we lost members of our families and our hard earned properties destroyed. We thank you for coming to console us and for your love," said Jane.
Kamatu told the former Presidents that police did little to assist them during the attacks. He said: "Some of the police watched as a man was killed near my home where raiders also slaughtered nine goats and roasted meat to feast without any hurry."
Chisano and Mkapa asked Kenyans to stop attacks against each other but cultivate peace and strengthen roots of their nationhood.
Published on January 9, 2008, 12:00 am
By Stephen Makabila
Four former African Presidents visited displaced victims of post-election violence in Eldoret, on Tuesday, and appealed to Kenyans to stop fighting and unite to save the country from collapse.
The four retired Presidents also said they were ready and willing to offer some counsel on how to enable the country come out of its current political crisis, if leaders from the two political divides asked them to do so.
The four, who were accorded heavy security during their tour, were Mr Joaquim Chisano (Mozambique), Mr Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Mr Benjamin Mkapa (Tanzania) and Mr Festus Mogae, (Botswana).
"We were shocked to hear what was happening and we have come to witness and console you. We will meet the leadership from the two opposing sides to reflect on our findings," said Chisano, who was the chairman of the team.
A series of violence, deaths, displacements and destruction of property occurred in most parts of the country last week, after President Kibaki was declared the winner of the Presidential election, which has been disputed by the ODM.
The former Presidents who were accompanied by Rift Valley PC, Mr Hassan Noor Hassan and Eldoret Catholic Bishop Cornelius Korir, toured the Kenya Assemblies of God church in Kiambaa village near Eldoret town, where over 30 displaced victims died after it was petrol-bombed last week.
They also toured thousands of displaced victims camping at the Eldoret Showground and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Eldoret town.
At the Cathedral, Ms Jane Mweru and Mr Kamatu Wandong gave a brief account of what transpired during the violence.
"We are suffering because we lost members of our families and our hard earned properties destroyed. We thank you for coming to console us and for your love," said Jane.
Kamatu told the former Presidents that police did little to assist them during the attacks. He said: "Some of the police watched as a man was killed near my home where raiders also slaughtered nine goats and roasted meat to feast without any hurry."
Chisano and Mkapa asked Kenyans to stop attacks against each other but cultivate peace and strengthen roots of their nationhood.