Implement TJRC report, Governor tells Building bridges team

Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud wants the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission report implemented to address historical injustices against the people of northern Kenya.

The governor told the Building Bridges Initiative team to expedite the recommendation to pay Sh10 billion compensation for the victims of the massacres in Wagalla, Garissa and Malkamari.

Mr Mohamud, while hosting the team at a Wajir hotel on Wednesday, said he hoped the recommendations from all over the country, once consolidated, would give a glimpse of the major challenges the country was facing and provide solutions.

He said Wajir County had set up a council of elders to support the team at the grassroots.

"Our focus should not be swayed by politics but should be rather on strengthening devolution, tackling corruption, marginalisation, divisive elections and insecurity," he said.

The team was led by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji.

Political hostility

The 14-member team was formed after the March 9 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga to end political hostility arising from a hotly contested presidential election.

Senator Haji said the task force was relying on public participation to safeguard the initiative from being seized by political elites out to safeguard selfish interests.

“Unless vigorous public awareness creation is sustained, we run the risk of the debate being confined to the elites at the expense of the general public,” he warned.