Kitale residents block IDPs from accessing land

By OSINDE OBARE

Hopes of a better life by 200 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Nakuru who were being transported to their new homes in Trans-Nzoia County were dashed when host communities rejected them.

Hopes of the 50 families were shattered when they arrived in Kitale to a hostile reception and strong opposition from the residents.

The families who boarded hired Nissan matatus, with their belongings loaded in trucks and lorries were blocked by irate residents from accessing their would-be homes in Endebess.

Arrival triggers tension

Their arrival triggered tension and provoked demonstrations from local IDPs and thousands of squatters. Members of Umoja Clash Victims and Trans-Nzoia Squatter Alliance staged demonstrations in Kitale to protest the planned resettlement of the families from Nakuru.

Residents and local politicians carrying placards blocked the Endebess-Suam Road near Kwanza District Commissioner’s office and refused to give way to the convoy of the IDPs.

The IDPs arrived at 6am but could not reach the 1,000 acres of land in Molem purchased by the Government for their resettlement.

Leaders protest

"We will not allow strangers to take up land here. We have IDPs in the county who are supposed to be resettled first," shouted councilor Philip Sakong.

Efforts by police to disperse the protesters yielded no fruits as the host community refused to give away.

Leaders, including Kwanza parliamentary hopefuls, Engineer Richard Chesebe and Mrs Jennifer Masis led residents in opposing the resettlement, arguing it was an insult to the locals.

"It is not logical for the Government to bring people from as far as Nakuru and resettle them here when IDPs and squatters here are yet to be resettled," charged Chesebe.

Residents abandoned their activities and invaded the land secured for the IDPs and vowed not to allow them in.

Local civic leaders Pius Mzee Kauka, Andrew Kutitila, Bernard Munialo, Fred Kwanusu, Reuben Matangala and Kefa Were and political activist, Alfayo Muganda, led the residents to seal off the land.

Some of the IDPs who had arrived in Endebess were forced to flee and seek refuge at Trans-Nzoia West District Commissioner’s office in Kitale.