Kibaki and Raila launch negotiations
President Kibaki and ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga, witnessed the launch of face-to-face negotiations spearheaded by former UN chief, Mr Kofi Annan. Meeting for the second time in a week, Kibaki and Raila reiterated their commitment to ending the current political impasse. The leaders spoke at the Annan-led ceremony held at the County Hall."We are here to join hands with our international friends led by His Excellency Kofi Annan to begin what I believe is a critical step in the path of national healing and reconciliation,” said Raila.
He added: “I will leave no stone unturned, nor fail to travel that extra mile, to ensure that Kofi Annan’s mediation mission between PNU and ODM succeeds. This is the least I can do for our country.” “This process must quickly show our people that peace, justice and security are round the corner,” he went on to state. The President pledged his support and that of his Government to the process. He said the process seeks to discuss, not just the immediate actions that must be taken to restore peace in the country, but will also address the long-term solutions to the underlying issues that have caused the problems.
Kibaki admitted the country was at a crossroads and there was an urgent need to take a decision that Kenyans must regain their dignity and restore the stability they have enjoyed since independence. He expressed concern that there are some parts of the country where neighbours who have lived side by side peacefully have been incited to hate one another and view each other as enemies. “I feel deeply saddened to see Kenyans confronting one another violently over issues that can be discussed and resolved peacefully through dialogue,” said Kibaki.
Kibaki warned that from now henceforth the Government would implement stern measures against those who attempt to disrupt the peace or use violence against peace loving wananchi. The President said he was distressed when he heard the sad news of the death of Embakasi MP, Mr Mugabe Were. “The Government will do all in its power to bring to book those behind the brutal killing,” he said.
Raila on his part noted that the death of every single Kenyan was tragic, but when an elected MP is killed, the tens of thousands who elected him, as well as their families and communities, feel that a part of them has died too. Raila said those who “executed” Were wanted violence to escalate so that under its cover, they can achieve their evil designs. “We must not fall into the trap of assassins. We will grieve, mourn, be angry and demand the perpetrators be brought to justice,” said Raila.
But Raila stated that Kenyans must not resort to violence, however justified their anger and outrage might be. “Violence only begets violence, as we have so tragically seen in the last month,” he noted. However, he said the commitment to shun violence must be grounded in and sustained by a genuine effort to resolve the compelling national grievances, which remain unresolved.
Kibaki said as they launch the process of national dialogue, those in the negotiating team must remain open minded. “I appeal to each and every one of us to know that we only have one country called Kenya. We must all play our individual roles in safeguarding our nationhood,” said Kibaki. Raila said what needed the most urgent attention was a resolution of the flawed results of the presidential election. “While our appeal for peace is uncompromising and unconditional, it will have effective meaning if we pledge today that everything will be done to speedily address this specific dispute,” he said.
To achieve peace, Raila said ODM must be allowed to communicate directly to their supporters if they are to fully make their voice of peace heard. He called for the lifting of the ban of live broadcasts and peaceful rallies. The President asked leaders to go to their regions and preach peace. He at the same time directed that 32 fully equipped police stations be constructed within the affected areas. Kibaki said Sh700 million has already been released for this project. In addition, the President also created a national fund for the mitigation of the effects of the inter-communal violence to assist victims.
East African Standard
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