Kalenjin elders urge Rift leaders to reconcile

By DEDAN OKANGA

Kalenjin Council of Elders wants politicians from the region who were divided by the referendum campaigns to reconcile.

The council said the end of the campaigns should also mark an end to public spats between ministers and MPs who opposed each other since the campaigns began.

Led by their chairman, Rtd Major John Seii, the elders accepted the referendum results but asked President Kibaki to spare Cabinet ministers from the Rift Valley who opposed it.

Mr Seii said the region would work with the people’s decision but still pursue selected amendments when time is right.

"We thank the President for declaring that the next step will be all-inclusive, and that there shall be no victimisation of those who held different views during campaigns," said Seii.

The council also thanked former President Moi, Higher Education Minister William Ruto, and Church leaders for leading their supporters in accepting results.

Speaking in Eldoret at the weekend, the council expressed its desire to be included in future commissions that may be formed to continue the reform process.

We felt marginalised

"The Kalenjin community should not be sidelined in the commissions that would be formed. We felt marginalised in the past and would like to see it not repeated," added Seii.

They also commended resident communities in the cosmopolitan Rift Valley for keeping the peace during the plebiscite.

Council member Samuel arap Ngeny said the region’s political leadership should not be segregated as opponents of the constitution. "Further reference to ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ camps should come to an end so that everyone behaves like a Kenyan," he said.

Another member, Rtd General Augustine Cheruiyot, lauded the Interim Independent Electoral Commission for a job well done