Police probe missing food for Mau evictees

By Kipchumba Kemei and Philip Ruto

Relief food meant for squatters removed from South West Mau Forest has disappeared.

Police and Provincial Administration in Kuresoi were on Monday investigating how 30 bags of maize and beans and other foodstuff failed to reach intended beneficiaries at Kipkoris and Tiriita camps.

The two camps are holding more than 2,000 families.

Elders, who have been entrusted with operations of the affected camps, have recorded statements with police.

According to police sources, the elders said they received food consignment less than what had been allocated to their respective camps by the Ministry of Special Programmes.

The food was removed from Kuresoi District Headquarters in Keringet and dropped at the camps by National Youth Service trucks on Saturday.

Along the way

DC Silas Gatobu has instructed local OCPD Litabalia Achesa to investigate the scandal and ensure culprits are prosecuted.

Kuresoi DO1 Sam Kinyanjui said he had initiated investigations beginning with the driver of the truck and those who assisted in offloading the food.

"The consignment disappeared along the way after it was loaded on to the truck and I am yet to establish what exactly happened," said Mr Kinyanjui. The official, however, said other camps received their intended allocation.

Meanwhile, the evictees are yet to receive the Sh5 million politicians raised to assist them two weeks ago.

Their spokesperson Philip Ng’eny of Kurbanyat Camp said they were relying on relief food from the Red Cross Society and their farms.

"We have not received money or food rations yet the money was meant to ameliorate the hardships we face in the camps," Mr Ng’eny said.

Political pawns

He said it was unfortunate politicians were making political mileage from their plight and asked the Government to either compensate them or give them alternative settlement.

"We are Kenyans entitled to be provided with the basic needs of life. To end this circus where we are being taken as political pawns, we should be provided with land or money," he added.

Two weeks ago, Agriculture Minister William Ruto led politicians in raising Sh5 million in aid of evictees.