Agony in Camps as MPs Appeal for Peace

The Nation (Nairobi)

NEWS
4 February 2008
Posted to the web 4 February 2008
Nairobi

About 300,000 Kenyans are still sheltering in at least 44 makeshift camps one month after the disputed presidential election results sparked violence and riots in across the country.

Estimates indicate that two thirds of people living in inhuman conditions in these camps are women, children and young people. At the weekend, signs of hope began to emerge when MPs from different political parties returned to their areas to preach peace.

ODM leader Raila Odinga was at his Bondo rural home where he expressed optimism that ongoing mediated talks in Nairobi would succeed. He called for an end to violence.

Justice minister Martha Karua and 12 other MPs from various regions also took the peace mission to Central, Coast and Rift Valley provinces, which have been adversely affected by ethnic violence.

Meanwhile, the Kofi Annan-led talks to resolve the political turmoil that has seen over 800 people killed resume Monday.

South African negotiator Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in the country on Saturday. The latest arrival to the peace talks, at the invitation of Mr Annan, will be introduced to the seven-member Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation team.

The South African has the reputation of a tough negotiator and skilful strategist. He played a key role in negotiating the end of apartheid and a new constitution for his country.

In Nakuru and its environs alone, at least 100,000 displaced people are scattered in camps.

And in the city, more than 500 displaced people from Juja in Thika District were admitted to Jamhuri Park showground where hundreds of families are camping.

Those interviewed asked to be repatriated to their ancestral homes in Nyanza and Western provinces. At Juja where 1,675 people, including 703 under 10-year-old children are camping, it was a tale of suffering and misery.

Spokesman Willis Onyango, 53, described the camp as hell on earth. "Even after losing all our belongings, some marauding gangs are still following us inside the police station, threatening us with dire consequences if we don't leave."

Another 500 people were camping at Nairobi's Mathare chief's camp.

In Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia, at least 100,000 people in seven camps face starvation. They have asked for food aid, Red Cross' Paul Birech said.

Tea farms

At Tigoni Police in Limuru, 300 people were ferried to their rural homes in Nyanza and Western, while some returned to tea farms and factories where they worked.

At least 6,100 were still at the station while 200 were to leave for their homes Monday.

In Kakamega, some 3,000 people were camping at a police station.

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