Treasury still holding Sh4 billion to resettle evicted Mau families, says PM

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday said the Treasury had not released the Sh4 billion meant for the resettlement of the Mau evictees, contrary to claims that the funds had been given to Lands minister James Orengo.

Mr Odinga said he and President Kibaki last year resolved that Sh4 billion be set aside for the resettlement programme but the money was yet to be released by Treasury.

Been dilly-dallying

“Ever since the land to resettle the evictees was identified by Mr Orengo, the Treasury has been dilly-dallying with the release of these funds, creating room for some propagandists to fight me using the Mau evictions as an excuse,” he said.

Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta however denied that he had delayed the payments and instead lay the blame on the premier.

“There is Sh1 billion already set aside for resettlement and it is in the upcoming Supplementary Budget. But the fund has delayed because the PM evicted people and opposed resettlement and money allocation. It was William Ruto and Uhuru who went to the President,” said Mr Kenyatta’s spokesman Munyori Buku.

Lying at the Ministry

“The resettlement of IDPs is under the ministry of Lands. In the last two financial years he has been allocated Sh2.9 billion. He has only spent about half. The Finance minister says the PM should ask why the money is lying at the Ministry of Lands,” Mr Buku said on the telephone.

Mr Odinga spoke at Kapkatet trading centre in Bureti constituency, Kericho county, during a fund-raiser for traders whose business premises were gutted by fire two weeks ago.

Earlier the premier had visited Tengecha Boys’ Secondary School whose 10 classrooms were razed by fire last week prompting the institution’s administration to send 691 students home.

Mr Odinga donated iron sheets to the school for reconstruction.

He asked businesses and schools to insure their premises and property against fire noting that if premises were insured the owners would have minimised losses as they would be compensated in the event of a fire.

Implement recommendations

He said the government had formed a task force to look into the Mau issue and its report had been tabled in Parliament and approved, giving the Forestry ministry the mandate to implement the recommendations.

He said settlers who had relevant documents for the land would be resettled or compensated. He asked not to be “demonised” over the Mau evictions.

“These people voted for me overwhelmingly during the last General Election and I would be the last person to see them suffer,” he said.

He demanded that the Mau evictees be resettled just like the other internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The premier was reacting to concerns raised by the Roads minister, who demanded to be told the truth on whether money was lying at the Treasury or hand been released to the Lands minister.

Other leaders who accompanied the PM were assistant ministers Beatrice Kones, Magerer Langat and Sotik MP Dr Joyce Laboso.

They urged Kenyans to remain united and challenged organisers of the ongoing prayers for the Ocampo Six to ensure all Kenyans were involved.

The leaders said the post-election violence was not planned and hoped justice would be accorded to the six suspects.

Mr Odinga said for prosperity to be realised in the country, Kenyans were duty-bound to remain united and build a healthy Nation devoid of tribalism.

Equitable distribution

The premier said the new constitution would bring equitable distribution of resources to all county governments.

He added that the document  was not meant to take away their land, legalise abortion and promote gay marriages as some of the people who opposed it during the referendum last year may have made them believe.