Naivasha IDPs demand compensation, resettlement

Internally displaced victims of the 2007/2008 post election violence in Naivasha have accused the Jubilee Government of discrimination in resetting and compensating internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The IDPs, who hailed from different estates in Naivasha, told of their agony, seven years after they were attacked, maimed and some of their relatives killed at the lakeside town.

The over 500 victims met at Kedong Ranch along Moi South Lake road where they had camped for several months after the violence.

During the meeting, the group issued a one-month notice to the government to compensate them like other IDPs in various parts of the country, failure to which they would march to State House in protest.

Speaking to journalists, Hellsgate MCA Peter Pallang’a claimed there was favoritism in the way the resettlement and compensation of IDPs was being undertaken.

“Most of the Naivasha victims who lost their relatives and property had been forgotten and were languishing in poverty,” said Pallang’a.

“We have 307 families that have registered with the government and the number could be more. We are calling for justice and compensation from the government,” he added.

The MCA, who is also the Naivasha ODM Chairman, urged the government to direct more energy towards relieving the plight of the IDPs.

“The energy used to pray for the Deputy President should be redirected at assisting these poor families who have undergone untold suffering,” he added.

Monica Akinyi, a victim who lost her husband during the violence, challenged the president to come to their rescue, adding that they received Sh10,000 only before being asked to leave the camp.

“I used the cash to bury my husband and I am now left suffering with nine children,” said an emotional Akinyi.

Kedong camp in Naivasha was one of the largest IDP centers in the country.

The post election violence that took place in December 2007 and early 2008 left a trail of death and destruction in its wake, with thousands of internally displaced persons taking shelter in IDP camps that sprouted at the time.

The government on Saturday October 10^th promised to pay out Sh1.1 billion to internally displaced persons (IDPs) that are yet to be resettled, before the onset of the El Nino rains.

Deputy President William Ruto said 5, 387 households, which translates to about 25, 000 Kenyans, are set to receive the payments to facilitate their resettlement.

Gilgil, Njoro, Eldoret and Nakuru are some of the areas that are targeted for this pay out.

Addressing the public, the DP said: “We are doing this because we want those citizens who were displaced to go back home so that they can live their lives.”

The DP said that the resettlement of IDPs was important not only to him, but to President Uhuru Kenyatta as well.