By Agwanda Jowi

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission began its hearings in western Kenya to hear from witnesses in Mt Elgon a district that has experienced some of the worst episodes of violence in the country.

Former MP Wilberforce Kisiero and representative of the Sabaot community presenting their memorandum to the TJRC at Kibuk Catholic Church in Kapsokwony, narrated the long history of conflict between his community and their neighbours, the Bukusu.

“ The mountain’s problems began when the colonialists removed people from their ancestral land that is Tran-Nzoia, Bungoma including Mt Elgon. They removed the Sabaot because they wanted to settle soldiers from World War 1 and so began to forcefully remove them to Uganda, ” Mr. Kisiero said adding that some were still there to this day and others have eastern Congo, into Pokot county and Nyanza.

Describing a series of perceived betrayals by successive regimes by whom the Sabaot had been displaced and never compensated, he said all they wanted was to be settled as in government farms.

‘All we want is for land for the Sabaot to be looked for in the remaining government farms which are in Trans Nzoia which is their ancestral land, not all just a token. There should further be consideration for 5,000 displaced from Chebyuk settlement scheme. While we would prefere Mt Elgon be divided into three constituencies, in consideration of the economy and the expense, we would be happy if it was split into two, ” he said.

Mr. Timothy Mulumbi representing the Bukusu community said he recalled former President Moi saying that the removal of Section 2A from the constitution turning Kenya into a multi-party state would lead to tribal clashes and it did happen in 1992 after elections.

“The Bukusus were not armed. We still have wounds from the past but I believe that we have started healing from the testimonies being brought to you TJRC, ” Mr Mulumbi said

Asked by the Presiding Chair Prof. Tom Ojienda if he knew who among the leadership had caused the cyclical violence in the region, Mr. Mulumbi said he did. “ Yes it is our leaders, we know them but we want healing. When we reported to the police they dismissively likened to a match between AFC and Gor Mahia (alluding to rivalry between the top football teams in Kenya); they did nothing. We want healing and we want to co-exist with our neighbors,” he ended. His testimony followed by the Teso experience.

– Ends