Give cohesion body teeth, says UDF

The United Democratic Forum (UDF) party has urged the government to bolster the efforts of Kenya’s cohesion team as the next elections approach.

In a statement, six MPs said President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga should publicly back the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to ensure it delivers its mandate of uniting Kenyans.

"As the country draws closer to the next General Election, we urge the government to step up its commitment to national unity through bolstering all the efforts of National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to foster mutual respect and understanding among Kenya’s diverse ethnic communities," said MPs Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia West), Kabando wa Kabando (Mukurweini), Abdikadir Mohammed (Mandera Central), Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa), Mutava Musyimi (Gachoka) and George Nyamwea (Nominated).

The MPs spoke during a party meeting at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi Friday where they urged Kenyans to elect leaders who had clear ideology and vision for the country.

Mr Ndiritu said that the government can help achieve equity by ensuring that all Kenyan communities get a share of the national cake.

"This can only be realised if there is political will to fight graft. I urge you (Kenyans) to elect leaders who are not tainted by corruption," he said.

UDF also asked the government to mobilise resources through the Ministries of Special Programmes and the Ministry of Lands to finalise the resettlement of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within six months.

"It should be known that fellow citizens living in dilapidated makeshift camps during the coming unfavourable weather conditions are a national eye sore."

The MPs said the party would not relent in its push for democratic space, championing human rights, equitable distribution of resources and fighting injustice.

They said the Friday meeting was also called to commemorate the death of popular Nyandarua MP JM Kariuki, who was assassinated 37 years ago and regretted that the culprits have never been brought to book. His remains were found in Ngong Forest on March 2, 1975.

Speaking at the function, JM’s widow said that justice will only be served when the killers are found and prosecuted. She recounted JM’s commitment to economic empowerment of ordinary Kenyans and observed that if the former assistant minister was alive today he would be deeply grieved by horrid living conditions of IDPs in makeshift camps.

JM's daughter Rosemary Kariuki and author of I am My Fathers Daughter relived her family's struggle to find the truth about their father's death and come to terms with the reality of their loss.

UDF said it was celebrating reformers such as South Africa's Nelson Mandela, freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi and Tom Mboya "who in their individual ways played an integral role in the push for socio-economic reforms".

"On this day 37 years ago JM Kariuki was found dead in Ngong Forest. His legacy for equity lives on, a call that we at UDF party are still echoing today, a call that seeks to champion a healthy wealthy nation," they said.

However, the party commended the coalition government for its achievements in regard to Agenda Four. It cited progress towards the implementation of the Constitution, the formation of Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and a reformed Judiciary under Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.

"Much credit still goes to the Grand Coalition Government for the ongoing Judicial Reforms which will give the Judiciary not only a facelift but also credence and effectiveness in the execution of its duties to the people of Kenya," the MPs said.