Now Kibaki orders IDP camps shut in two weeks

By PPS

President Kibaki has ordered the resettlement of all genuine Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within two weeks.

The President directed that the ministries of Finance, Special Programmes, Lands, Internal Security and Agriculture should work together and move with speed in ensuring that land is made available for the resettlement.

"We should move with speed to resettle the IDPs who are still in camps. This matter has dragged on for too long. We must deal with it and ensure that we do not have persons still living in camps," the Head of State said.

Internally Displaced People at a camp in Kenya. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

The President added: "We also need to help those who are going back to their land to resettle and undertake farming. I appeal to all communities to live peacefully and co-exist harmoniously."

President Kibaki was speaking at his Harambee House office where he chaired a meeting of the committee overseeing resettlement of IDPS.

During the yesterday’s meeting, it was resolved that all IDP camps should be closed down within two weeks once the IDPs are resettled on the land purchased by the Government. It was also agreed that the Ministry of Finance should provide adequate funds for land purchase while the Ministry of Land identifies arable land.

The Ministry of Internal Security was directed to ensure that no new camps crop up after the Government resettles the genuine IDPs.

The Ministry of Special Programmes was ordered to continue paying Sh25,000 to the integrated IDPs who are accommodated by other families.

The committee also agreed that the purchase of land for IDPs resettlement should be conducted transparently to ensure that Government gets value for its money while the IDPs are resettled on arable land.

The President expressed concern over the deplorable living conditions of the IDPs in the camps. He said the Government is committed to ensuring IDPs resume their normal lives and get integrated into society as necessary infrastructure and social amenities are put in place in the new settlement areas. He said all those concerned should carry out the exercise in a transparent and accountable manner.

Special Programmes Minister Dr Naomi Shaban, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti, Lands Minister James Orengo and Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura attended the meeting.