Sh400 million released for Moyale IDPs missing

A house in Moyale destroyed by fire. Two communities have clashed intermittently in the area since July 2012.

By Liban Golicha

Moyale, Marsabit County: Displaced families in Moyale sub-county have claimed Sh400 million released by the national Government is missing. They say the released funds have not reached their intended target.

According to the IDPs, the money, which was released for reconstruction of burnt houses in the area, was mismanaged by senior government officials.

Isack Huka, a displaced person from Heilu who is camping in Arbale, Ethiopia claimed corrupt government officers pocketed  the money.

He appealed for immediate recovery of the money so it could to achieve its mandate of resettling displaced families in the region.

Mr Huka also called on human rights defenders and national leaders to intervene in the Sh400 million saga that has unfolded over the past two months.

“Our priority is reconstruction of houses. We want the missing Sh400 million to go as per our priorities,” he said.

Ali Guyo, who lost several houses that were flattened during clashes, said the Government only announced that the funds had been released but the money has not been seen or heard of since.

“We were told in a public rally that Sh400 million is out. After that big announcement we were left in the dark,” claimed Guyo who is camping at a relative's house in Sessi.

Mr Guyo pointed out that the Government has not consulted the displaced on the use and management of the fund. 

Displaced families The Standard interviewed in Moyale town called out to the president to intervene and recover the alleged

missing fund.

Last Friday, when the parliamentary committee on justice and national security visited the area, the alleged

missing Sh400 million for Moyale's displaced families took centre stage.

Various community leaders who address the committee at Al-Yusra Hotel claimed the released funds are missing and

appealed for immediate investigation on the same.  

“We appreciate the President's concern and his efforts in peace restoration. He (President) promised us Sh400 million for

reconstruction of burnt houses,” Hussein Kadida of the Moyale Multi-ethnic Peace Committee chair told the parliamentary

committee.

Kadida reiterated the Government has confirmed the release of the funds. “We heard the money has been released and

surprisingly there are claims that the Sh400 million has already been used,” he said.

Several leaders who spoke at the function echoed Kadida’s sentiments and urged the Government to establish and make

public the whereabouts of the money.

Multi-ethnic Peace Committee co-chair Mohamed Hapicha urged the Parliamentary Committee on Justice and National

Security to probe the matter.

Late March, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku confirmed the released of Sh400 million in a public rally

in Moyale town.

Area Member of Parliament Roba Duba who attended the meeting also claimed senior government officials are behind

the mystery surrounding Sh400 million meant for Moyale displaced families.

Duba urged the parliamentary committee chaired by Asman Kamama to take note of the public outcry and recovery the

missing fund.

However, the parliamentary committee members who spoke at the function called for unity and peaceful co-existence

among residents. They vowed to investigate and recover the alleged missing funds.

“The issue of Sh400 million has to end. We will work on this report and present it to parliament as soon as

possible,” Yatta MP Francis Mwangangi the committee member said at the meeting. He vowed they will act swiftly on

Sh400 million claims.

The Parliamentary Committee on Justice and National Security chair Asman Kamama assured the residents that his

committee will address the matter and resolve the problem with parliament.

He encouraged peace promotion and reconciliation among the locals.