IDPs have written to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga warning of politicians they claim have been whipping up ethnic tension ahead of the 2012 General Elections. 
In a memo, the Internally Displaced Persons Leaders Forum has warn violence could recur in some areas unless “political rhetoric” by certain leaders is checked. “We have noticed that the activities of certain politicians are geared at whipping up ethnic tensions by amalgamating ethnic loyalties and making the political campaign appear as a contest between opposing ethnic groupings,” the IDPs say in their memorandum.
The IDPs have also taken issue with some MPs and the executive whom they accuse of shielding perpetrators of the 2007/2008 post election violence instead of letting suspects face the law. “The support by a segment of Parliament and the executive of those facing the prospect of prosecution for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court is an assault to the dignity of every individual who died or was displaced as a result of the violence that was motivated by mere political ambition,” the memo reads. The displaced persons have also threatened to sue the government for neglect and violation of their constitutional rights.
They have said the government violated the Bill or Rights enshrined in the new constitution citing the right to food, shelter, medical care, education for their children and right to a sustainable income. The IDPs also told the two principals the government has continued to violate a number of international legal instruments citing the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. They have demanded that Kibaki and Raila to spearhead the adoption and implementation of national IDP policy.
The draft policy was launched March last year in Nairobi after a lengthy consultation process with relevant ministries, state agencies, humanitarian and human rights organizations and the representatives of IDP groups.
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