IDPs ignore landslide alert

By Antony gitonga
Over 500 IDPs living in Mai Mahiu Naivasha have defied a Government directive to relocate to higher grounds.
The IDPs mainly from Huruma camp declined to move to new grounds after huge gullies emerged on their farms raising fears of landslides. Their decision came as Government promised to supply them with tents, food and non-food items ahead of their relocation.

Despite receiving the food rations, a group of IDPs refused to move arguing that the rains had subsided. “We find it hard to move from our houses to tents but we are keenly watching the gullies,” said one of the IDPs identified as Joshua. Naivasha DC Hellen Kiilu confirmed the impasse noting that all affected families had received food and non-food items.
The DC expressed concern over the move by IDPs saying they could not force them out.

“We had planned to move them to higher ground but some of the families have defied us. However, a few have co-operated,” said the administrator. Kiilu termed the area the IDPs were living as sensitive since huge gullies, which emerged, were still expanding.

Last week, PS in Ministry of Special Programmes Andrew Mondoh directed that 500 families living in the area be moved out.