By Leah Gondi-Ogondi
KITALE; KENYA: Members of Parliament from Trans Nzoia County have vowed to reject a move by the Government to resettle over 8,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from other areas in the region.
They argued Trans Nzoia has IDPs of its own, who should be resettled first before those from other parts of the country are brought in.
They accused Special Programmes PS Andrew Mondoh of working out the programme without consulting local leaders. Led by Kimilili MP Chris Wamalwa, the five legislators vowed to mobilise locals to oppose the Government’s move.
“We are not going to accept any resettlement of people from elsewhere. The PS is not even sure whether he will retain his job. Why is he then rushing the programme?” he wondered.
Legislators Roberts Pukose, Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Janet Nangapo and David Wekesa backed him.
More than 8,000 displaced persons in Trans Nzoia County are to be resettled this month after the Government acquired land for them.
The property is among 49 other farms the Lands and Special Programmes ministries procured for IDPs, Mau Forest evictees and squatters on the Government waiting list.The Government sourced funds from the African Development Bank, which were also used in construction of houses for displaced families who returned to their farms.
Last week, a human rights group asked the Special Programmes ministry to consult widely before moving IDPs to new settlement schemes.
