Kikuyu elders want IDPs compensated before August polls

Kikuyu elders under the Rift Valley Council of Elders have called on the government to ensure that the remaining IDPs are compensated before the August polls.

Addressing a press conference in Nakuru town on Tuesday, March 28th, the elders said it would cast the government in a bad light for integrated IDPs to go to the polls before they are compensated.

Council Patron Gilbert Kabage said compensating the IDPs would be the biggest relief for the government given the many demonstrations that have been held by the IDPs pushing for compensation.

He said that the compensation should also target those who were evicted from the Mau forest to pave way for the rehabilitation of the water tower.

“We ask the Jubilee Government that before the forthcoming General Election … all IDPs should be compensated and that will bring peace since everyone will have his/her place”, said Kabage.

The national coordinating secretariat on resettlement of IDPs led by Adan Wachu last week kicked off nationwide profiling and verification of integrated IDPs with a view to compensating them.

On the unfolding political developments in the country, the elders want the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to crack the whip on those inciting people to violence.

Peter Charagu, who is the council secretary, said it was unfortunate that most County Jubilee Party Election Board elections had been marred with chaos, adding that it set a wrong precedent.

“NCIC should act firmly and decisively to advise the electoral commission based on facts to bar any aspirant who incites voters,” stated Charagu.

He scoffed at the opposition coalition NASA over what he termed as spreading unfounded fears of elections rigging.

The elders further reiterated the need for aspirants to sign a peace pact before any political meeting is held.

Edited by Ronald Kibet