Truth team vows to fight Kiplagat return

The controversy surrounding the return of Bethuel Kiplagat to the helm of the truth team deepened on Monday after fellow commissioners vowed not to work with him.

Led by acting chairperson Tecla Namachanja, the commissioners said they would neither cooperate nor work with him until all the allegations against him are cleared through a “thorough, transparent and credible manner.”

The commission has further instructed its lawyers to appeal the court decision that reinstated embattled chairman.

Mr Kiplagat has been accused of having being involved in amongst others, the Wagalla massacre in Wajir and land grabbing. He has however denied the allegations.

“We are firmly against his return. We shall not associate with Ambassador Kiplagat whose integrity and credibility continues to be the subject of inquiry— including in our investigations and hearings,” Mrs Namachanja told a news conference.

She spoke as protests continued outside the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission offices in Nairobi’s Upper Hill, with lobbyists claiming to be victims of the Wagalla massacre, opposing Mr Kiplagat’s return.

The placard-waving protesters, wearing red ribbons on their heads, said they had no confidence in the embattled chairman and would not allow him to resume his duties at the commission.

The National Network of Victims and Torture Chair Wafula Buke also waded into the controversy, saying they would not allow Mr Kiplagat to participate in the commission’s hearings.

Mrs Namachanja said Mr Kiplagat was yet to be cleared of allegations levelled against him since the tribunal set up to investigate him was yet to run its full course.

Mr Kiplagat, who kept away from office on Monday, has been unable to discharge his duties for the past 14 months following strong opposition by commissioners who expressed lack of confidence in him.

The commission is expected to hand over its report to President Kibaki on May 3.