Credible TJRC Can Bring Healing – PM

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Reuben Olita and John Nalianya

3 May 2011

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said yesterday a credible TJRC can lay to rest Kenya’s torture and murderous past. He said a revamped Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission with a credible leadership can help Kenyans open a new chapter of hope and pride.

Raila said the TJRC should get to the bottom of the unresolved murders of former University of Nairobi student leader Titus Adungosi.

“South Africa went through many injustices by the apartheid regime that led to the death of many people and others tortured and detained

but Nelson Mandela dealt with it,” he said.

He added:”The past is very dirty for this country. We need to clean it. The torture and subsequent death of Adungosi confirms this fact.” The Prime Minister was addressing 100 Teso leaders at Kolanya Girls’ Secondary School. He was accompanied by MPs Ababu Namwamba, Alfred

Khangati, Elizabeth and Sospeter Ojaamong.

The chopper carrying the PM landed at 11.30am and was welcomed by local leaders, provincial administration and education officials.

He held a closed-door meeting with the school bosses led by the board of governors chairman Michael Omunyin and school principal, Salome Papoi.

The PM planted a tree before opening the 96-bed government funded dormitory built under the Economic Stimulus Programme. Raila then held a meeting with over 100 Teso leaders who presented a seven-point memorandum to the PM.

The leaders demanded a ministerial appointment saying the Iteso have never heard a cabinet slot since independent.

Teso County Council chairman Moses Ote read the memo. They regretted the region used to have PCs, PSs and CEOs, but there was none currently.

They want the road between Busia-Malaba-Katakwa-Lwakakha-Cheptais tarmacked. They want the government to upgrade Kocholia district hospital and Amagoro youth polytechnic and set up border points at Buteba and Adumai.

The leaders also demanded a second constituency, solutions to the understaffing in schools and have former Limuru police station chief James.

Karani was sacked for protecting IDPs from Western during post election violence reinstated. Raila promised to look into most grievances, adding that the new constitution will solve most of the problems afflicting marginalized communities.

The PM said shortage of teachers was a national crisis and which had undermined the quality of education. He challenged Kenyans to promote local investment instead of relying on foreigners.

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