President visits areas hit by post election violence.
Posted by African Press International on January 10, 2008
Written By:pps,
President Mwai Kibaki on Wednesday visited areas affected by the recent post election violence and warned the perpetrators that they will face the full force of the law.
Speaking at Noigam Primary school playground in Cherengani, Trans Nzoia East district where 17,000 misplaced people are camping, President Kibaki said the Government will not shirk from its responsibility of protecting people and their properties.
He warned those engaged in criminal activities under the guise of election being disaffected with the results of the recent general elections that they would be arrested and prosecuted.
He said “There is a Government in place in this country which has the responsibility to the people of Kenya for their security. Let no one therefore delude themselves that they can get away with crimes.”
In the same vein President Kibaki assured displaced families camping at various church compounds and Police Stations that they would not be evicted from their legally acquired land adding the Government will instead assist them to reconstruct their homes.
“Am therefore directing that all those affected register with the relevant Government departments so that they can be given assistance to resettle in their homes,” he added.
Noting that innocent lives had been lost in the senseless orgy of violence, President Kibaki said it was unfortunate some political leaders had capitalized on the gullibility of the youth to incite them into violence.
Saying such politicians were not worthy of national leadership, President Kibaki asked wananchi to refuse to be used as instruments of plunder and deaths.
He said “Kenyans of different ethnic groups have always lived peacefully together. Their children have gone to the same schools and even intermarried. It is therefore unfortunate saddening that such harmony can be sacrificed at the alter of political expediency.”
The President stressed that he cannot let the country degenerate into chaos and called on those involved in ethnic cleansing to stop their criminal activities before the law catches up with them.
President Kibaki said the Government had put in place appropriate security arrangement to ensure the reopening of schools was not disrupted in the affected areas and asked parents to take their children back to school when they reopen on Monday.
He at the same time directed school committees in those areas to evaluate the damage cost to their schools so that the Government can establish what kind of assistance they can be given.
He instructed the provincial administration to broker peace among people of different ethic background saying Kenyans must always forge friendship amongst themselves.
The President emphasized that the recent general elections should not hold the country back and urged those who vied for different positions and lost to accept the verdict of the people so that the country can move on.
Also present were Minister for Provincial Administration and Internal Security Professor George Saitoti, Minister for special Programmes Naom Shaban and her counter part for Science and Technology Dr. Noah Wekesa.
Also present were the Head of Civil service and Secretary to the Cabinet Ambassador Francis Muthaura.
Lifted and published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.kbc.kenya
