President Kibaki. Photo/FILE
By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Thursday, January 20 2011 at 19:55
President Kibaki will hold a rally in Eldoret on Friday to cement reconciliation between communities that fought during the 2008 post-election violence.
The rally, at the epicentre of the chaos that followed the December 2007 elections, comes only days after a group of Rift Valley MPs led by suspended minister William Ruto held talks with the President at Harambee House.
The talks, MPs who attended the meeting said, focused on the need for peace in the region and the resettlement of internally displaced people.
“We want the Rift Valley to be free of all IDPs, not just the ones who were rendered homeless by post-election violence,” Belgut MP Charles Keter said.
Another meeting that was scheduled to take place in Kericho on Saturday has been cancelled.
In the morning, the President will meet with leaders from the region, who will present a memorandum detailing issues they want addressed.
In the afternoon, accompanied by the MPs, President Kibaki will address a rally at the 64 Stadium.
On Thursday, workers were busy at the stadium setting up the dais in preparation for the rally.
Politicians, clerics and elders from Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties have been working behind the scenes to mobilise people to attend the rally.
Eastern Rift Valley deputy provincial commissioner Wanyama Musyambo said among those expected to attend the rally are leaders and residents of Trans Nzoia, Kericho and Nakuru counties.
Rift Valley MPs have been categorical that the visit was not political despite coming only a week after Mr Ruto, deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka declared they would be working towards a political alliance for 2012.
During the installation of a bishop at the Africa Gospel Church in Kericho last week, Mr Ruto declared that MPs from the region had united and will not work with some leaders — a statement perceived to be aimed at Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The PM hit back at the team stating that they were free to quit ODM which, he said, will not be affected by their defection.
Speaking at Parliament buildings, MPs from the region said they expected the President to address the resettlement of IDPs, reconciliation and cohesion among communities in the area and the tarmacking of a road from Eldoret to Southern Sudan.
“We must take advantage of the independence of Southern Sudan since we were instrumental in the peace efforts.
“The road to Southern Sudan should be a national priority if not international,” Turkana Central MP Ekwee Ethuro said.
Reports by Oliver Mathenge, Dennis Odunga and Barnabas Bii
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