Tue, 04:08 29 Jul 2008 GMT17

 

KENYA: Janet Wanjiru, Kenya, "I do not like the memories"
20 Jun 2008 13:20:22 GMT
Source: IRIN
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NAIVASHA, 20 June 2008 (IRIN) - Janet Wanjiru is a resident of Timboroa, Rift Valley Province. A single mother of two, she is currently living at Naivasha stadium internally displaced persons camp after fleeing post-election violence in Timboroa six months ago. She spoke to IRIN about her experiences in her home town and in the camp. "It was scary when the violence started. There were policemen everywhere shooting in the air to scare away the looters; many houses were on fire and women were being raped.

"I was able to leave our house with my children but unknown to me, my mother went to hide behind the house. When our house was set on fire, she could not escape. She was burnt to death.

"We could not even bury her as there were no coffins available. We just wrapped her body in blankets. I do not like the memories.

"Here in the camp, we are given food depending on the size of the family. They give us maize which we take to the millers so that we can cook for the children. But for the last three days there has been no water. If you have money you buy water, if not, you stay without.

"We are being asked to get ready to go back to our homes but where will we return to?

"Our house was burnt and the youths say that they are still going to deal with us.

"If we are given some money we could restart our lives elsewhere."

aw/cb

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A protester holds a poster of Sudan's Minister of State for Humanitarian affairs Ahmed Haroun, outside the European Union Council in Brussels July 14, 2008. The International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor ...



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