CTindex - Christian Today UK Interactive Catalogue
World

Despite Kenya peace deal, ethnic tensions simmer

Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 10:49 (GMT)
Font Scale:A A A

"Now power is supposed to be shared 50-50 but they are not willing to share really," he added, echoing a widespread accusation among Kenya's non-Kikuyus that Kibaki's community has monopolised power and wealth.

Another Kalenjin man chided a visiting reporter, saying the media - like Kibaki and the police - had focused on deaths of Kikuyus around Eldoret, but not the killing of members of other communities elsewhere around Kenya.

"What about the house burned in Naivasha with 15 people inside? You don't talk about what the Kikuyus did," he said.

"There are no Kikuyus living round here any more. If they come back, it will depend on the 50-50 deal, if it works. Then if they return and are friendly with us, it will be OK."


UNDERLYING PROBLEMS

According to the power-sharing deal, Odinga is set to become prime minister although wrangling remains over other posts.

Further down the line, Kenya's politicians will also have to overhaul the constitution and discuss underlying problems such as land and inequality that were laid bare by the dispute over Kibaki's re-election last December.

At Eldoret showground, 15,000 refugees - almost all Kikuyus - live in tents crammed together on the field.

They are either too scared to return home, have nothing to go back to, or are waiting for some way of travelling to their community's heartland in central Kenya.

"Power-sharing has brought peace to the people above, but not to us," said pastor Gideon Mwangi, whose house in Eldoret was torched and whose family fled to Naivasha.

"We are willing to go back, but only when there is real peace. There are still threats going on in the villages."

Refugee leaders are petitioning for compensation for destroyed properties, stolen livestock and lost crops.

Some Kikuyus in the Eldoret area have, however, returned to their former lives. In the centre of town, several dozen stick together for security in streets where they work as mechanics and labourers fixing minibuses.

Joseph Gitau, 23, was born in the area, saw his father killed with a poisoned arrow during inter-ethnic fighting in 1997, and admits taking up a machete to face Kalenjin gangs in January. One day, he saw seven fellow Kikuyus decapitated.

Yet he has returned to work to help feed his mother, and ten brothers and sisters. And he has no intention of returning to a tribal homeland he does not know.

"There, I have no job, no land, nothing. What could I do?"



continue to read > 1 | 2
© Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here
World Headline
Church's job is to proclaim the Gospel, say US Christians

Church's job is to proclaim the Gospel, say US Christians

Evangelical, Orthodox and Catholic leaders who unveiled the "Manhattan Declaration" on Friday insisted the document is...
Sponsored Features
Bible Educational Services is committed to telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. Psalm 78: 4. To download free bible lessons or learn about Postal Bible Schools visit Enrich your love life, marriage and relationships through education and counselling. Train to become a certified marriage and family educator and change lives for good.
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here