Reconciliation takes backseat as ethnic tension builds up

By Kipchumba Some

As the Government moves to close all the camps for the internally displaced persons, many in Rift Valley, the focal point of last year’s violence, fear for their security following the collapse of the peace process.

It is instructive to note that most IDPs who the Government says have returned to their homes are not actually in their farms. Most of them are stuck in satellite camps near their farms, afraid to go to their former homes.

Bad blood between the two main communities at the centre of violence in Rift Valley was starkly highlighted during the burial of the victims of the Kiambaa church tragedy in Eldoret in June.

KALENJIN BOYCOTT

The occasion was graced by President Kibaki but boycotted by all Kalenjin MPs who said they had not been invited. But to observers this was just a protest for the failure of the Government to address deep-rooted issues.

In reaction to the violence, the Government moved and established police posts in the affected regions. But opinion is unanimous among stakeholders that this is not the solution to the conflict.

Reverend Maritim Rirei of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Eldoret Diocese, who has been involved in peace efforts, says they were not making much progress towards reconciliation.

He points to the prevailing tense political climate, the continued bickering among coalition partners, and the failure to address Agenda Four of the National Accord, as the key impediments to peace.

POLITICAL WILL

"In short, there has not been the political will to resolve some of these outstanding issues. Even as the Government forces the IDPs in to their homes, it must be aware that the relationship between communities is still tense," he says.

The problems plaguing communities in Rift Valley are said to be more deep-rooted than election outcomes. Experts contend the problems have their roots in perceived historical injustices and, especially, on the land issue.

A report jointly conducted by Usaid and the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Eldoret revealed that tussles over land ownership, especially in Rift Valley, are convoluted and misunderstood.

The report titled Demystifying Historical Injustices Around Land notes that majority of the youth, who were involved in the chaos do not actually understand the origins of land disputes.

It points out that politicians have conveniently twisted the truth about land ownership, played in to the fears of the youth and inflamed ethnic passions, to advance their political ambitions.

"Our study reveals inconsistencies between the realities of how migrant groups acquired land in Rift Valley and what the local community believes. Politicians have cunningly exploited this situation to their advantage," read the report.

The common belief by the indigenous community is that the migrant communities were facilitated, financially and strategically, by the Government of former President Kenyatta to acquire tracts of land in the heartland of the Kalenjin.

Mr Ken Wafula, Executive Director Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, says this is true to the extent to which the Settler Transfer Fund was used. This was a $100 million loan advanced by Britain to Kenya at independence for Africans to buy off the colonial farms.

Opinion among the Kalenjin is that the fund benefited the Kikuyu who enjoyed political patronage from the Kenyatta government.

"On how the fund was used, certainly they have an argument. But it should not be forgotten that majority of the settlers in Rift Valley are latter-day migrants who bought land on a willing buyer-willing seller basis and it is unfair for them to be targeted too," said Wafula

The study focused on Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia districts. These districts have become the focal points of inter-ethnic clashes during elections since 1992. The Government has not been spared criticism for not doing enough to promote peaceful co-existence of communities, a duty it has duly left to NGOs, civil society and the religious society.

The National Accord that created the Coalition Government expressly mandated the President and the Prime Minister to spearhead reconciliation. Observers say the two have failed in this respect.

Apart from a joint visit to Eldoret early last year, which was marred by protocol wars between Raila and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, the two principals have not toured the troubled regions together to preach peace.

Matters have not been helped by the constant infighting within the coalition, which has created anxiety.

SPECIAL TRIBUNAL

Also, the coalition Cabinet has been reluctant to establish a special tribunal to try post-election violence masterminds, instead insisting what the country needed was reconciliation.

PNU Chief Whip George Thuo says: "Post-election violence was basically a dispute between the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin, which escalated and scared the country. Hanging Kalenjins or Kikuyus would make it worse. You cannot impose peace on two warring parties. They should be encouraged to reconcile."

The inconsistency among leaders has prevented some IDPs from going back to their homes.

"It is difficult to know what people on the ground are thinking when our leaders are engaged in superiority battles," said Mr Michael Njuguna, a displaced person from Kiplombe, Uasin Gishu District.

He continues: "Our politics is getting dirtier by the day, and the more it does, the more ethnic relations worsen. We are all afraid that violence could break out any moment." Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, whose Luhya community was also affected by the violence, feels the problem is bigger than the two communities and says leadership of all communities in Rift Valley is needed to address the recurring violence.

"Rift Valley is not about the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin. Lasting peace and stability lies in the various communities reaching out, devise ways to ease tension, foster political co-operation, instead of divisive rivalries. If Rift Valley is stable, the whole country is assured of stability," Jirongo said. Without the resolution of the pertinent issues that fuelled the violence, the victims contend that it is futile to return to their farms and rebuild their homes.

They question what is the point of it if all if it is likely to recur in 2012 or even earlier.

Additional information by Gakuu Mathenge.