Mt Elgon leaders want TJRC report implemented before polls
Mt Elgon politician Peter Sirai addressing residents of Kamarang Village in Cheptais Sub-County February 5, 2017. He wants the TJRC report implemented to save the region from repeated violence. PHOTO |TITUS OTEBA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Peter Sirai says it is wrong not to implement the report which implicates some powerful individuals from the region.
- Mr Job Bwonya blamed the government for being slow in implementing the TJRC report.
- He called on relevant authorities to act on the commission's findings.
Leaders from Mt Elgon Constituency have called on the government to implement the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) report before the coming general elections in order to forestall violence.
Mr Peter Sirai, a politician, says it is wrong not to implement the report which implicates some powerful individuals from the region in the recruitment and funding of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) insurgence.
Speaking in Kamarang Village in Cheptais Sunday, Mr Sirai said that the report should be tabled in Parliament and those adversely mentioned in the report barred from contesting in the coming general elections.
“Over 100 people were killed, over 500 people maimed while over 1,000 families were displaced at the height of the SLDF insurgence in Mt Elgon yet the funders and recruiters are still roaming freely. Let the report be tabled in parliament and suspects barred from contesting,” said Mr Sirai.
GOVERNMENT TO BLAME
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Job Bwonya, the executive director of Western Kenya Human Rights Watch, who blamed the government for being slow in implementing the TJRC report.
“The report should be tabled in Parliament and the culprits adversely mentioned be stopped from contesting for any political office. They are a liability to the society,” said Bwonya.
He said that people mentioned in the report are still campaigning while some are still holding public office despite the atrocities having happened under their watch.
Mr Bwonya noted that during the general elections, Mt Elgon has often borne the brunt of violence and the leaders mentioned should be stopped from contesting, arrested and be arraigned in court.
He called on relevant authorities to act on the commission's findings on the atrocities that affected thousands of residents in Mt Elgon.
Mr Bwonya also noted that one of the key recommendations was that all those who lost relatives were injured or lost their properties be compensated accordingly.
