Ethnic angle in IDP resettlement worries NCCK

By Edwin Cheserek and Antony Gitonga

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has expressed concern at ethnic-oriented disparities in the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPS).

The council expressed disquiet that three years down the line, thousands of IDPs who fled their homes in various episodes of ethnic and politically instigated violence were yet to be resettled.

NCCK Secretary General Peter Karanja said the Government had failed to carry out effective healing, integration and resettlement.

Canon Karanja said money meant to resettle the victims was squandered by those supposed to oversee their exercise.

"We are deeply worried that the plight of IDPS will not be addressed because no action has been taken against individuals who stole money meant for resettlement," said Karanja.

He was speaking at the Reformed Church of East Africa in Eldoret during NCCK North Rift Regional Committee where he also called for integration of some amendments as part of implementation of the new Constitution.

Peace processes

He asked the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to engage all communities in affected regions in peace processes to enable effective reconciliation.

"To ensure peaceful co-existence of communities, we urge all the people to embrace peace and seek reconciliation down to the village level," Karanja said.

Meanwhile, there are fears of a disease outbreak in various IDP camps in Naivasha due to the heavy rains pounding the area.

The affected IDPs are those living in Kikopey in Gilgil as their tents have been leaking since the start of the rains early last month.

A group of integrated IDPs in Wanaruona Camp who have been living in grass-thatched houses have borne the blunt of the rains.

Cases of pneumonia and flu have already been reported among children as the victims called for assistance.