VIOLENCE VICTIMS LAID TO REST AS KENYAN LEADER BLAMES POLITICIANS
Kanini Evans Kariuki
May 18, 2009
As the 36 Kenyan post-election violence victims who were burnt to death in a church by raiders in January last year were eventually laid to rest over the weekend, a Kenya government leader Stephen Tarus immediately came out in open criticism of politicians from the expansive Rift Valley province which was the hotbed of the violence, for deliberately absenting themselves from the emotional burial.
Tarus is the National youth leader of the Party of National Unity, the party through which the Kenya government led by President Mwai Kibaki was re-elected to power. Tarus who is a former assistant minister for Defence took issue with the lawmakers for skipping the funeral ceremony of the victims. Addressing the press, Tarus who is the immediate former Member of parliament for Emgwen constituency, underscored the need for leaders to respect the dead without introducing politics into the issue. Politics, he pointed out, should be totally irrelevant in the serious subject of death and should never be allowed to take centerstage. "There is no politics in dead bodies. Let us learn to always respect the dead", Tarus stressed while talking to the media. He emphasized that it was of paramount importance for all leaders to genuinely build the country and to strive to bolster a united front for the good of the current generation and posterity. In a strong rejoinder yesterday, Tarus stressed that the melancholic reality of the dead victims brought to the fore the dire need to reconstruct Kenya afresh, and to bring leaders together with values that include respect for the sanctity of human life. "You can dispossess me of land, but you cannot take my life away", Tarus stated. He added: "We could be at war but for Heavens sake, let us not kill innocent children and women. Let us learn to respect the right to live as evertybody's right."
The victims were cornered at the Kenya Assemblies of God Church,Eldoret South, and burnt to death by armed raiders following disputed election results in 2007.
None of the politicians who are allied to the Orange Democratic movement attended the funeral ceremony that took place in Eldoret South, located in the Rift Valley, which was the epicenter of the violence.
Their conduct, according to political analysts and newspaper editorialists, has spewed out feelings of lack of unity of purpose and solidarity in the Kenyan Coalition government, and also fuelled a spirit of ethnic balkanization that should have been healed had they (politicians) attended the burial.
The victims who belong to the Kikuyu tribe-Kenya´s largest tribe which overwhelmingly voted for President Kibaki during the elections, were burnt to death by the raiders who were acting in vengeance against a declaration by the Electoral Commission of Kenya that Raila Odinga had lost his fight for the presidency to President Kibaki.
As the saying goes innocence can be an offence.The victims sole crime was supporting President Kibaki in favour of Raila Odinga during the elections.
News of the arson shook the world as the roaring inferno swept through the House of God, blasting the victims who included helpless women and children into smithereens.
Only President Mwai Kibaki and a host of other government leaders who were led by the Internal Security minister Professor George Saitoti, attended the sad funeral and final farewell of the victims.
President Kibaki is also the party leader of the Party of National Unity-the party under which he was re-elected to power. Prof Saitoti is the chairman of the Party.
The Orange Democratic Movement is the outfit through which Kenya´s Prime minister Raila Odinga vied for the presidency against Kibaki during the controversial elections. Even Raila Odinga did not attend the burial.
THE peace and reconciliation efforts in Rift Valley province were put into question, when the elected leaders from the region conspicuously stayed away from the burial ceremony for the 36 post-election violence victims in Eldoret.
The theme of forgiveness and reconciliation at the ceremony was shattered by the notable absence of local leaders, including area MP Peris Simam.
Among those buried were those killed in the Arson attack at the Kiambaa Kenya Assemblies of God Church in Eldoret in January last year – an occurrence that remains one of Kenya´s darkest moments.
There had been a feeling that since utterances by politicians either incited or caused the beginning of hatred amongst members of the different communities in the region, MPs from the greater Uasin Gishu, who include agriculture minister William Ruto (Eldoret North), Prof. Margaret Kamar (Eldoret East) and Peris Simam (Eldoret South) would have attended the burial ceremony as a sign of a new beginning.
However, the show was stolen by religious and community elders who spread a message of forgiveness, and made an impassioned appeal to Kenyan leaders to refrain from issuing inflammatory statements which, they noted, would only serve in causing a conflagration in the country.
As the 36 bodies were lowered down the wide grave one after the other, with tears rolling down the checks of family members, the rallying cry was that such an occurrence and, especially burning of innocent souls in the House of God, should never again happen in Independent Kenya.
A gloomy atmosphere and an eerie feeling of sadness descended on the burial site, as painful sobs here and there broke to the surface. Sneezes rose from pairs of hollow lungs as a cold gust of wind rustled the grass. In the vicinity, an uncontrollable wail briefly rent the air, as an octogenarian mother murmured something unintelligible. Blue wisps of smoke engulfed some hovels in the neighborhood where cooking for the mourners was taking place.
It was not, however, immediately clear why the local MPs were absent from the funeral though there were reports that they could have been asked not to come by the organizers so as to avoid the introduction of politics at the solemn event. Prime Minister Raila Odinga had also been expected but did not appear at the ceremony.
Those in attendance included cabinet Ministers Prof. George Saittoti, Naomi Shaban, Robinson Githae and Esther Murugi, Assistant Minister Lewis Nguyai and MPs Joseph Kiuna, Peter Mwathi and Mutava Musyimi.
Former Defence Minister Njenga Karume, Former Nominated MP Ezekiel Barn´etuny and Maj (RTD) John Seii represented elders from the warring communities and vowed to lead efforts to bring their people together so as to avoid a recurrence of the ugly episode in future.
President Kibaki, in his speech, exhorted Kenyans to forget tribal differences and shun divisive politics that could lead to a repeat of what was witnessed in the country moments later after the pronouncement of the disputed presidential results.
"As we lay to rest these remains of the innocent people who died during the violence, I call upon Kenyans of all walks of life to forgive each other for what happened, and create room for reconciliation for the betterment of this nation," he said.
The Kenyan Head of state was categorical that what happened in the country was regrettable and urged Kenyans to forge friendship devoid of political, tribal or religious connotations for the development of the nation.
He called on leaders, clergymen and members of the civil society crusading for peace in the country, to work jointly for the restoration of long-lasting peace that would see Kenya scale giddy heights in development.
Kibaki stressed that the government was keen in the provision of security and other needs required by the families who were displaced and still living in tents across the country.
Kibaki advised Kenyans to ignore inciters bent on undermining the peace and unity enjoyed in the country for many years.
President Kibaki told Kenyans to never allow inciters to cause unnecessary divisions that breed animosity and misery, thus compromising the government´s efforts of building a prosperous nation
The president said that inciters have no room in modern Kenya since the focus was on improving their living standards through the fruits of their sweat. "Let us have a fresh start for our beloved country. We must preserve peace, and ensure justice for all. Kenyans must be free to live and work in any part of this country," asserted the president.
The burial ceremony was conducted by clergymen who included Bishop Cornelius Korir (Eldoret catholic diocese), Bishop Thomas Kogo (Eldoret ACK Diocese), bishop Gaitho (IPCA) and Rev. Geoffrey Songok.
In his speech, Prof. Saitoti regretted that the post-election violence was a shameful incident for the country wondering what type of the devil possessed Kenyans to warrant them kill their neighbours.
He noted that prior to the violence, Kenya was a role model of peace in Africa, and an Island of harmony in the world with its economic growth progressing at a steady and encouraging pace.
However, Prof Saitoti regretted,the peace which had made Kenya the envy of many nations had been tampered with and reversed by the violence.
Tarus is the National youth leader of the Party of National Unity, the party through which the Kenya government led by President Mwai Kibaki was re-elected to power. Tarus who is a former assistant minister for Defence took issue with the lawmakers for skipping the funeral ceremony of the victims. Addressing the press, Tarus who is the immediate former Member of parliament for Emgwen constituency, underscored the need for leaders to respect the dead without introducing politics into the issue. Politics, he pointed out, should be totally irrelevant in the serious subject of death and should never be allowed to take centerstage. "There is no politics in dead bodies. Let us learn to always respect the dead", Tarus stressed while talking to the media. He emphasized that it was of paramount importance for all leaders to genuinely build the country and to strive to bolster a united front for the good of the current generation and posterity. In a strong rejoinder yesterday, Tarus stressed that the melancholic reality of the dead victims brought to the fore the dire need to reconstruct Kenya afresh, and to bring leaders together with values that include respect for the sanctity of human life. "You can dispossess me of land, but you cannot take my life away", Tarus stated. He added: "We could be at war but for Heavens sake, let us not kill innocent children and women. Let us learn to respect the right to live as evertybody's right."
The victims were cornered at the Kenya Assemblies of God Church,Eldoret South, and burnt to death by armed raiders following disputed election results in 2007.
None of the politicians who are allied to the Orange Democratic movement attended the funeral ceremony that took place in Eldoret South, located in the Rift Valley, which was the epicenter of the violence.
Their conduct, according to political analysts and newspaper editorialists, has spewed out feelings of lack of unity of purpose and solidarity in the Kenyan Coalition government, and also fuelled a spirit of ethnic balkanization that should have been healed had they (politicians) attended the burial.
The victims who belong to the Kikuyu tribe-Kenya´s largest tribe which overwhelmingly voted for President Kibaki during the elections, were burnt to death by the raiders who were acting in vengeance against a declaration by the Electoral Commission of Kenya that Raila Odinga had lost his fight for the presidency to President Kibaki.
As the saying goes innocence can be an offence.The victims sole crime was supporting President Kibaki in favour of Raila Odinga during the elections.
News of the arson shook the world as the roaring inferno swept through the House of God, blasting the victims who included helpless women and children into smithereens.
Only President Mwai Kibaki and a host of other government leaders who were led by the Internal Security minister Professor George Saitoti, attended the sad funeral and final farewell of the victims.
President Kibaki is also the party leader of the Party of National Unity-the party under which he was re-elected to power. Prof Saitoti is the chairman of the Party.
The Orange Democratic Movement is the outfit through which Kenya´s Prime minister Raila Odinga vied for the presidency against Kibaki during the controversial elections. Even Raila Odinga did not attend the burial.
THE peace and reconciliation efforts in Rift Valley province were put into question, when the elected leaders from the region conspicuously stayed away from the burial ceremony for the 36 post-election violence victims in Eldoret.
The theme of forgiveness and reconciliation at the ceremony was shattered by the notable absence of local leaders, including area MP Peris Simam.
Among those buried were those killed in the Arson attack at the Kiambaa Kenya Assemblies of God Church in Eldoret in January last year – an occurrence that remains one of Kenya´s darkest moments.
There had been a feeling that since utterances by politicians either incited or caused the beginning of hatred amongst members of the different communities in the region, MPs from the greater Uasin Gishu, who include agriculture minister William Ruto (Eldoret North), Prof. Margaret Kamar (Eldoret East) and Peris Simam (Eldoret South) would have attended the burial ceremony as a sign of a new beginning.
However, the show was stolen by religious and community elders who spread a message of forgiveness, and made an impassioned appeal to Kenyan leaders to refrain from issuing inflammatory statements which, they noted, would only serve in causing a conflagration in the country.
As the 36 bodies were lowered down the wide grave one after the other, with tears rolling down the checks of family members, the rallying cry was that such an occurrence and, especially burning of innocent souls in the House of God, should never again happen in Independent Kenya.
A gloomy atmosphere and an eerie feeling of sadness descended on the burial site, as painful sobs here and there broke to the surface. Sneezes rose from pairs of hollow lungs as a cold gust of wind rustled the grass. In the vicinity, an uncontrollable wail briefly rent the air, as an octogenarian mother murmured something unintelligible. Blue wisps of smoke engulfed some hovels in the neighborhood where cooking for the mourners was taking place.
It was not, however, immediately clear why the local MPs were absent from the funeral though there were reports that they could have been asked not to come by the organizers so as to avoid the introduction of politics at the solemn event. Prime Minister Raila Odinga had also been expected but did not appear at the ceremony.
Those in attendance included cabinet Ministers Prof. George Saittoti, Naomi Shaban, Robinson Githae and Esther Murugi, Assistant Minister Lewis Nguyai and MPs Joseph Kiuna, Peter Mwathi and Mutava Musyimi.
Former Defence Minister Njenga Karume, Former Nominated MP Ezekiel Barn´etuny and Maj (RTD) John Seii represented elders from the warring communities and vowed to lead efforts to bring their people together so as to avoid a recurrence of the ugly episode in future.
President Kibaki, in his speech, exhorted Kenyans to forget tribal differences and shun divisive politics that could lead to a repeat of what was witnessed in the country moments later after the pronouncement of the disputed presidential results.
"As we lay to rest these remains of the innocent people who died during the violence, I call upon Kenyans of all walks of life to forgive each other for what happened, and create room for reconciliation for the betterment of this nation," he said.
The Kenyan Head of state was categorical that what happened in the country was regrettable and urged Kenyans to forge friendship devoid of political, tribal or religious connotations for the development of the nation.
He called on leaders, clergymen and members of the civil society crusading for peace in the country, to work jointly for the restoration of long-lasting peace that would see Kenya scale giddy heights in development.
Kibaki stressed that the government was keen in the provision of security and other needs required by the families who were displaced and still living in tents across the country.
Kibaki advised Kenyans to ignore inciters bent on undermining the peace and unity enjoyed in the country for many years.
President Kibaki told Kenyans to never allow inciters to cause unnecessary divisions that breed animosity and misery, thus compromising the government´s efforts of building a prosperous nation
The president said that inciters have no room in modern Kenya since the focus was on improving their living standards through the fruits of their sweat. "Let us have a fresh start for our beloved country. We must preserve peace, and ensure justice for all. Kenyans must be free to live and work in any part of this country," asserted the president.
The burial ceremony was conducted by clergymen who included Bishop Cornelius Korir (Eldoret catholic diocese), Bishop Thomas Kogo (Eldoret ACK Diocese), bishop Gaitho (IPCA) and Rev. Geoffrey Songok.
In his speech, Prof. Saitoti regretted that the post-election violence was a shameful incident for the country wondering what type of the devil possessed Kenyans to warrant them kill their neighbours.
He noted that prior to the violence, Kenya was a role model of peace in Africa, and an Island of harmony in the world with its economic growth progressing at a steady and encouraging pace.
However, Prof Saitoti regretted,the peace which had made Kenya the envy of many nations had been tampered with and reversed by the violence.
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