How election violence was financed

From Wikileaks

By NATION Reporter (Daily Nation Kenya)
Wednesday August 26, 2008

Youths stand next to a burning barricade during the post-election violence. A human rights watchdog report accuses senior politicians of inciting and financing the violence. Photo/FILE.

In Summary

MP B told a meeting that no one can be allowed to take Kalenjin land and incited attacks against non-Kalenjins
At a meeting on December 22, 2007, minister E incited the public to attack his political rivals

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights report tabled at the Waki inquiry accuses ministers, assistant ministers and MPs of planning, inciting and financing the post-election violence.

The following are excerpts from the report. Names of those accused and some places have been removed for legal reasons.

Assistant minister A

In the third week of January attended a meeting and incited supporters after which an attack against the Kisii community was intensified. With another MP incited 700 youths to burn houses belonging to the Kisii.

MP B

At a public meeting in December 2007, urged the Kalenjins to fight the Kikuyu until they leave Molo.

With other prominent politicians, attended a meeting at Ndoinet Forest before the elections and incited attacks against non-Kalenjins.

Brought young men from Bomet in groups of 300 to attack the Kikuyu. With others, financed attacks against the Kikuyu and Kisii in Kericho, providing transport, fuel and food, and also hosted meetings at a Kericho hotel and other places.

Told a meeting that no one can be allowed to take Kalenjin land. Organised and financed the transportation of raiders from Trans Mara and Bomet to attack the Kikuyu in Kuresoi.

On December 30, 2007, at a petrol station in Kericho, gave out money to Kalenjin and Luo youths to attack businesses owned by the Kikuyu and the Kisii.

Minister C

On diverse dates in January, February and March, 2008, attended meetings to plan retaliatory violence by the Kikuyu.

Contributed funds and organised militia for retaliatory attacks.

Minister D

Early in January, 2008, told a group of youths: “When we tell you to block the road, make sure you block the road. When we tell you to remove the roadblocks, make sure you remove them.”

Raiders were hosted at his home from where they launched attacks against the Kikuyu and the Kisii.

Minister E

In August, 2007, held a meeting with senior party leaders at which they resolved to carry out mass evictions of non-Kalenjins from Rift Valley, particularly the Kikuyu and the Kisii.

During the opening ceremony for a church, said that they would “uproot the weed, shake off the soil … gather it together and burn it” in reference to “outsider” communities.

At a meeting on December 22, 2007, before the elections, addressed a meeting at his home where he incited the public to attack his political rivals if they dared campaign in the area because they were opposed to his policy of evicting the Kikuyu.

Minister F

With another minister attended meetings to organise violence. Also funded the violence.

MP G

Attended and addressed a meeting at Ziwa where violence was planned. Said that all Luhyas should be expelled from Trans Nzoia District.

MP H

On diverse dates in January, February and March 2008 attended meetings to plan retaliatory violence by the Kikuyu. Contributed funds and organised militia and acquisition of weapons.

Minister I

Hosted several meetings with councillors and other leaders at a guest house to plan and organise violence. Also contributed funds towards the violence.

Minister J

During the campaigns incited his supporters against the Kikuyu and the Kisii. Said they must be evicted if they did not vote for him and his party.

Around December 30, a market was burnt in his constituency and several people injured after he told his supporters that the Kikuyu market women had insulted him.

MP K

Hosted a number of people at his home on the day violence erupted in his constituency.

First appeared in Kenya's Daily Nation. Thanks to the Daily Nation and its author for covering this material. Copyright remains with the author. Consult http://www.nation.co.ke for reprint rights.