Kerio Valley banditry victims to receive Sh100m compensation

What you need to know:

  • Marakwet East Sub- county Commissioner Eric Mulevu the told the Nation on Thursday that the verification was almost over and the beneficiaries would soon be required to open bank accounts where the money would be channelled.
  • A total of 557 learners in various learning institutions have been listed as students who were directly affected by the insecurity in the region and therefore in need of bursaries, said the commissioner.

Hundreds of victims banditry attacks in Kerio valley listed for Sh100 million compensation from the government are yet to receive the money three weeks after they were promised payment.

The government is however informing the identified beneficiaries that the process is at its final stages following successful verification of the list of the victims that is already in the office of the President.

Marakwet East Sub- county Commissioner Eric Mulevu the told the Nation on Thursday that the verification was almost over and the beneficiaries would soon be required to open bank accounts where the money would be channelled.

“Everything is now complete and the beneficiaries could be due for payment anytime. We have submitted their lists to the relevant authorities for action,” said the administrator.

553 people who lost their livestock to cattle rustlers have been listed for compensation across the Kerio Valley belt though the government has not disclosed how much could be paid for lives lost, livestock stolen, houses razed and bursaries for orphaned children.

A total of 557 learners in various learning institutions have been listed as students who were directly affected by the insecurity in the region and therefore in need of bursaries, said the commissioner.

The list covers the past ten months.

The official was responding to concerns raised by the local residents that despite the government's promises issued by Deputy President William Ruto three weeks ago regarding the payment, the process had taken too long without any signs of compensation.

"This is an election year and we are not certain yet about the DP's pledge whether it was true or just a mere political statement to woo desperate residents to Jubilee Party," said Mr Philip Chemisto a resident of Kaben.

A victim, Mr Cosmas Lotiroor, said the government was supposed to come out publicly about the details regarding the distribution of the Sh100 million announced by the DP.

"We are requesting the County Commissioner to give us the breakdown of the official list and how much a beneficiary in the list expected to be paid, although we know that no amount of compensation could pay for life lost," said Mr Lotirkoor.