Government to resettle more IDPs in Trans Nzoia

By OSINDE OBARE

The government has announced plans to resettle over 400 families living at Teldet and Patakwa Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Trans-Nzoia County.

Trans-Nzoia West District Commissioner Mr. Wilfred Kinyua

said the government would purchase land to resettle the affected families.

Teldet camp hosts 382 families that were evicted from Teldet forest 3 years ago by the government, while Patakwa IDP camp has 105 families.

Kinyua however warned leaders against politicizing the resettlement exercise and said only genuine IDPs would be given priority.

"Plans are in advanced stage to resettle families currently living at Teldet and Patakwa IDP camps but only genuine people would benefit from the allocations," said the DC.

Mr Kinyua made the revelations at Teldet forest during the launch of the management plan for Sosio-Saboti community forest association.

The director Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Mr. David Mbugua graced the occasion that was also attended by local leaders led by councilor Gilbert Kitiyo and Lawrence Mukusu.

But local leaders led by Party of National Unity Trans Nzoia branch chairman Mr. Wafula Mutacho accused the government of bias in the resettlement of IDPs in the country.

Mutacho claimed that the government has purchased 499 acres

of land to resettle the families but said it was inadequate to settle all families.

"The government is biased in the resettlement programmee.

How come the government has purchased over 8000 acres to resettle IDPs in Nyandarua and insufficient land for families in Trans-Nzoia County," he argued.

Mutacho asked the government to stop discriminating against other regions and instead address the plight of the IDPs with fairness.

"It seems the government is favouring certain communities in the resettlement exercise and this would not augur well with those affected," he said.

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