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The People Of Mt. Elgon Had Hoped For A Different Election Results


Mt. Elgon District is in the Western Province of Kenya. The region has been plagued by a violent conflict that began in 2006 between the two main ethnic groups over allegations of unfair land allocation. This resulted in the deaths of more than a hundred people. Several thousands have been displaced from their homes.

Mt. Elgon officials accused the government of Mwai Kibaki of not doing enough to help. The government refuted that accusation. The people of Mt Elgon felt they have long been marginalized and wanted change. They had hoped the December 27th election would bring about that change.

James Shabatai is chairman of the county council in Mt. Elgon. He told VOA’s Akwei Thompson that there was a deep sense of shock and disappointed when the election results were read.

He said the people of Mt. Elgon had high hopes that the election results would go in favor of opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Shabatai said that now there is a cloud of hopelessness hanging over the people of Mt. Elgon.

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