Kenya truth team petition CJ over Kiplagat

• Commissioners copy their petition to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Mr Kiplagat has also faced charges of complicity in the February 1984 Wagalla massacre. He has been accused of attending a security meeting that authorised a disarmament operation that led to the massacre of some Degodia people at Wagalla airstrip.

Hundreds of people were herded onto the airstrip where they were tortured, starved to death, or shot dead by the security forces.

A visitors' book at the Wajir DC's office where the meeting took place listed Mr Kiplagat as one of those in attendance.

But, Mr Kiplagat vigorously denied the claims, insisting that he never attended the meeting.

The TJRC boss has also been accused of failing to disclose the truth regarding the murder of Dr Robert Ouko when he appeared before the Commission of Inquiry into the death chaired by Justice Evan Gicheru.

The TJRC chair was Dr Ouko's Permanent Secretary when the minister met his death in February 1990.

He also denies claims by human rights activists and former political detainees that he was a strong defender of the Kanu regime that committed some of the injustices

The mandate of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission  it to inquire into human rights violations including those committed by the state, groups or individuals. It includes but is not limited to politically motivated violence, assassinations, community displacements, settlements and evictions.

It will also inquire into major economic crimes, in particular grand corruption, historical land injustices and the illegal and irregular acquisition of land especially as these relate to conflict or violence, between December, 12 1963 to February 2008.