Kibaki seals amnesty debate

Published on June 2, 2008, 12:00 am; The Standard;

By Alex Ndegwa

President Kibaki appeared to seal the fate of hundreds of post-election violence suspects with the declaration that they will face the law.

While the edict could end debate on an issue that could as well divide his Cabinet down the middle, with anti-amnesty ministers ranged against a pro-amnesty group comprising mostly Rift Valley ODM MPs and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, it is still bound to have far reaching political ramifications in future.

http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143987715&cid=4

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— On Mon, 6/2/08, Matunda Nyanchama wrote:

On this one, I am with the president.

I would add a small variation: let investigations determine who is and who is not culpable. And perhaps (and a BIG perhaps) then one can consider amnesty.

If we ever hope to build a nation in which laws are respected, we shouldn’t circumvent the legal process. Doing so (and blanket amnesty would do that) would be sending the wrong message: that you can do what you want (including murdering your neighbours, touching their houses, etc.) and get away with it.

As well the government should charge the marauding policemen that shot and killed innocent people. That was justice would be seen to be done. Targeting one group while leaving out the other wouldn’t be in the interest of justice.

Matunda Nyanchama

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From: Matunda Nyanchama
Date: Monday, June 2, 2008, 8:01 AM
Subject: No Amnesty for killers – Kibaki

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— On Mon, 6/2/08, nyabuto mangerere wrote:

wananchi,
I / We believe that no sound-minded leader can condone violent crimes whether in Kenya, Rwanda or elsewhere. Evil is evil and especially so when it is violently displayed as we saw in January. If they don’t get some form of discipline or get punished then they would start preparing for a repeat of same come 2012 elections which are not far away and unless their choice wins. It is something we have never seen in Kenyan history.

Nyabuto

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From: nyabuto mangerere
Date: Monday, June 2, 2008, 9:09 AM
Subject: Re: No Amnesty for killers – Kibaki
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Nyabuto,

I do agree with you; no sound-minded leader can condone violent crimes whether in Kenya, Rwanda or elsewhere. Evil is evil and especially so when it is violently displayed as we saw in January. If they don’t get some form of discipline or get punished then they would start preparing for a repeat of same come 2012 elections which are not far away and unless their choice wins. It is something we have never seen in Kenyan history.

But, why must we engage in selective justice where we leave the real culprits, and we go after the petty culprits? What happens to the real thieves who put Kenya in that mess? Do we pretend that we do not know them?

If we must go that way, then, we must stop this nonsense of Peace, National Healing and Reconciliation.

We will then invite a free for all.

We shall have achieved nothing.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi

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Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 10:36:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: No Amnesty for killers – Kibaki