Sh8 billion set aside to resettle the displaced

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By Peter Orengo

The Government will next year use over Sh8 billion to fast track the resettlement of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) still living in camps.

Last week, the Government announced the formation of a special task force comprising senior officers from various ministries, who will work round the clock starting this festive season to ensure that genuine IDPs are settled within the shortest time possible.

Special Programmes Ministry PS Andrew Mondoh, in a communiquÈ said modalities had been worked out where individual IDPs have been encouraged to identify suitable land in areas of their choice.

One of the internally displaced persons who have camped outside the Subukia DC’s office awaiting resettlement. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

"In order to fast track the resettlement, the Government has set up a special team to lead IDP resettlement beginning this December. The money is now available and we intend to pay the vendor directly and not directly to the individual IDP," said Mr Mondoh.

He said to date the ministry has received Sh4.2 billion towards IDP resettlement programme with Sh3.3 billion already spent financing various IDP resettlement activities.

Another Sh4.2 billion is still at the Treasury, but has been allocated to various ministries this financialyear for IDP resettlement.

Separately, the Lands ministry was allocated Sh2.9 billion to buy land.

"So far, the total amount spent on land purchase is Sh1,476,186,660, leaving a balance of Sh1,423,813,340, which will be spent in land-related commitments including purchasing of additional land," said the PS.

The Government has also to date paid ex gratia support of Sh 10,000 per household to 161,759 families, amounting to Sh1,617,590,000. Another Sh25,000 was paid to 37,788 heads of households coming to a total of Sh944,700,000.

Facing challenges

However, the Government is still faced with various challenges of hostility from host communities, increased land prices and unavailable or unsuitable land.

"Where land is available for settlement, the Government has faced a new phenomenon where the political leaders and host communities have resisted the resettlement of IDPs in their respective geographical areas along ethnic lines," said Mondoh.

And although landowners have been offering land for purchase by the Government, most of it has been unsuitable for agricultural use.

There has also been a disparity between the Government valuation and offers from the land owners, with some land owners reluctant to accept Government quotes.

So far, the Government has allocated land to 2,287 households out of which 1,006 houses have been built and 1,281 acres are at various stages of construction.