Victims of the Shifta war in Lamu have threatened to boycott the August polls over what they termed negligence in resolving their grievances.
Thousands were displaced from their homes during the Shifta war in the 1960s, with Lamu East being the worst hit.
Areas like Kiunga, Ishakani, Mvundeni, Rubu, Sendeni and Ashuwei were left desolate as people fled to other seemingly peaceful parts of Lamu.
In 1964, the government directed the dissolution of Ishakani, Kiunga, Mwambore, Rubu, Simambaye, Mvundeni, Ashuwei, Matironi, Mkokoni, Vumbe, Saadani, Kiangwe, Ndhununi, Bodhei villages and other areas close by, following a spate of attacks by Shiftas.
Residents were forced to find alternative settlements, rendering a majority of them IDPs.
Spokesman Mohamed Mbwana said they want immediate compensation and resettlement, failure to which they will not take part in the election.
They said they were the first batch of internally displaced persons in Kenya, yet they have not been prioritised for compensation and resettlement like the post-election violence victims.
“We were displaced back in the 1960s and have been crying for justice since then but nothing has been forthcoming, yet the PEV victims have been compensated and resettled. What we ask is, what is so special about them? Are we not all victims?" Mbwana posed.
Speaking in Lamu on Sunday, he said they are urging all Shifta war victims and their families to boycott the election if nothing is done to address their grievances before August 9.
“It has been more than 59 years and counting yet justice for the Shifta victims has yet to prevail. We have seen successive governments openly ignore our plight. If they want us to vote, let them look into our issues first,” Mbwana said.
They have also accused the state of failing to make public a report by the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission which details all the transgressions during and after the war.
“The report would have been our biggest redemption but seeing as it will never be released, the only way to make our voices heard is to boycott this election,” victim Halima Obbo said.
They also want the government to help reclaim the rights of their lands which they lost when they fled their villages during the war.
Edited by A.N
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