Leaders want all IDPs resettled now

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By Titus Too
A section of leaders in the North Rift want political leaders to address permanent resettlement of IDPs instead of distributing seasonal food assistance.
The leaders criticised distribution of food by some politicians and the government as a move to woo voters ahead of the 2012 general elections.
Led by Wareng County council chairman Paul Kiprop, Sylvester Chemwor, former Kapsabet mayor David Ngetich and Christopher Koyogi, the leaders urged the government to urgently resettle all IDPs.
"Buying food for the affected families during festive seasons is not a lasting solution. The funds should be used to resettle the IDPS and have them self-reliant," said Ngetich.
Ngetich also claimed that the distribution was selective saying not all displaced families received food rations.
He said several families who obeyed government directives to move out of Kipkurere, Embobut and Mau forests live in squalid conditions also need to be given alternative settlement.
Chemwor and Koyogi, a former civic leader, said IDPs have spent three years in camps and seasonal food rations would not be of lasting help to them.
"IDPs are human and leaders should not consider food alone. They should be made self reliant for them to educate their children," said Koyogi.
Chemwor said food should not be used to attract support of IDPs because election time was approaching.
Kiprop said if the government was committed to assisting all IDPs, then it should have vetted and resettled them once and for all.
He said some of the genuine IDPs had already returned to their farms owing to peace and reconciliation already existing in the Rift Valley.
"The government should vet those remaining at the respective camps to avoid unnecessary increase of people purporting to be landless," added Kiprop.
Eastern Rift Valley Deputy PC Wanyama Musiambo who officiated distribution of food rations at Naka camp on Christmas Day, said funds had been received for resettlement of all IDPs.
He also added that 300 houses out of a target of 900 had been constructed at Ruriki area to settle those affected by post-election violence.