By Vitalis Kimutai

ODM deputy party leader William Ruto on Saturday led five Rift Valley MPs in demanding for immediate resettlement of families evicted from forests in the region.

The MPs told President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to ensure the families evicted from Mau, Embobut, Mount Elgon and Kipkurere are resettled.

Assistant Minister Jebii Kilimo, MPs Benjamin Langat, Lucas Chepkitony, Moses Lesonet and

Jackson Kiptanui were speaking in Anin Secondary School in Keiyo North constituency.

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Lands Minister James Orengo was accused of failing to release the Sh3.6 billion set aside by the Government one and a half years ago for purchase of land for squatters.

“The Government set aside the money and Treasury released it to Lands ministry but Orengo has failed to purchase land for the squatters,” Mr Ruto said.

The Eldoret North MP said it was sad that the money had not been released, saying so many of the evictees had died, fallen sick, and children have dropped out of school because of the tough living conditions. Ruto said there was need to delink politics from the planned resettlement.