All IDP camps to be closed in one week’s time, says DP Ruto

The Government has ordered the closure of all camps for internally displaced persons (IDP).

Deputy President William Ruto said all camps would be closed in the next one week.

Mr Ruto said the Government would spend Sh1.1 billion to compensate the remaining IDPs who were still languishing in various camps across the country.

He said the exercise would target the last group of families that were displaced during the post-election violence, and those who were evicted from various water towers.

The deputy president said some 5,387 families would be given Sh200,000 each to start life afresh outside the IDP camps.

“With the compensation, which will take up to one week, we hope to close down the camps and allow those who have been languishing in the various camps to move out so that we close them,” Ruto said.

He spoke to Mau evictees at Chebugen, Konoin constituency where he was accompanied by the National IDP Chairman Aden Wachu.

Sh17 billion

He said those in Njoro and Mai Mahiu camps were already receiving their money and would leave the camps before the end of the week.

Compensation for Mau evictees in Mauche, Kipkoris, Chebugen and Kusumek camps in South Rift is ongoing, and will receive Sh85 million in total.

Ruto disclosed that the Government has so far spent over Sh17 billion in compensation of IDPs since 2013.

Putting on notice political leaders using IDPs issues for political mileage, and in a veiled attacked against Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto who has been pushing for compensation of IDPs before the start of El Nino rains, the deputy president said: “We are aware of some politicians running around and saying we are only giving IDPs Sh150,000. That is a lie that should be ignored.”

Ruto at the same time asked those who will receive compensation to ensure they make good use of the money to restart their lives afresh.