State beats retreat in Mau Narok resettlement plan

By CYRUS OMBATI

Nakuru County

The State has shelved plans to resettle 800 post-election violence victims on a controversial piece of land in Mau Narok following resistance from residents.

Instead, the 2,264-acre land will be used for agricultural research.

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti announced the decision yesterday and appealed to those who own land suitable for the resettlement programme to offer it for sale.

"The Government wishes to reiterate its desire and commitment to speed up the resettlement of IDPs," said Prof Saitoti.

The withdrawal came following resistance from residents, who opposed the resettlement, claiming they were not consulted.

Met MPs

Saitoti, who was with PS Francis Kimemia, met Cabinet ministers William ole Ntimama, James Orengo, Esther Murugi, Assistant ministers Joseph Nkaissery, Katoo ole Metito and MPs Joseph Kiuna, Nkoidila ole Lankas and others before making the announcement.

The land formerly belonged to Rose Farm and had been bought by the Government with plans to resettle displaced families.

On Wednesday, Saitoti said the Government was seeking an alternative land for the exercise.

Ms Murugi said the Rose Farm land would now be given to either the Agricultural Development Co-operation or the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) for research.

"We hope to have resettled IDPs by June. We decided to shelve the Mau Narok plan because we want peace," said Murugi.

Orengo denied claims by Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta that Sh1.8 billion had been released to facilitate the exercise, terming the statements political.

"Up to now, no single cent has been released to my ministry for that plan. I can confirm that," he said.

Saitoti added an estimated 663,921 households were displaced following post-election violence out which 350,000 sought refugee in 118 camps, while 313,921 were integrated within communities. He said 640 fled to Uganda but 256 have since returned. He added 78,254 houses were destroyed.

He said 5,241 IDPs are yet to be resettled since the 2008 operation Rudi Nyumbani was launched.

The MPs present said they were happy with the decision because a forceful resettlement would have caused fighting.

Initially, a 20-man committee had been set up to help in resolving the land controversy.

Tension had been building up in the area as the Government made efforts to re-settle IDPS on the land.