IDPs celebrate Christmas in style as State donates food

By James Munyeki

There was joy and celebration as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in various camps in Nyandarua received food donated by the Government.

Ol Kalou MP Erastus Mureithi toured five camps in the constituency, where he joined the IDPs in celebrating Christmas in style, after they received food donations that included meat following a directive by President Kibaki.

The beneficiaries hailed the Government saying the gesture was long overdue. "We have been waiting for this day to come as we have been suffering in the camps after the food stores ran dry. The move came as a surprise to us," said Martha Muthoni, living in Kasuku camp.

Resettlement

Mr Mureithi hailed the Government and cautioned that food distribution should not be selective but be delivered to all IDP camps.

"The Government should make sure that all IDP camps in the country are supplied with enough food over this season and even in future. They should also celebrate just like other people," he noted.

Special Programmes Minister Esther Murugi prepares food for Internally Displaced Persons at Kapkembu Primary School in Kuresoi Sunday. The food was donated by the Government. [PHOTO: Boniface Okendo/STANDARD]

The MP at the same time urged the Government to speed up the resettlement exercise, saying the victims had suffered for long in camps.

Special Programmes Minister Esther Murugi kicked off a countrywide exercise to donate food stuffs to IDPs and the less fortunate members of the society following the directive by their Excellencies President Mwai Kibaki and the First Lady Lucy Kibaki that no State receptions shall be hosted to mark this year’s festive season.