US envoy urges Kenya dialogue over land issues
US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec in a dance with Kiambiu residents. Kiambiu residents who had illegally settled in houses belonging to other people after the 2007/2008 post election violence surrendered back the houses to the owners. JENNIFER MUIRURI
The US government has asked Kenyans to embrace dialogue while addressing the emotive land issue to avert conflicts.
US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec said land remains a big challenge in Kenya and there was a need, therefore, to seek solutions in a peaceful manner.
He was speaking Thursday at Kiambiu in Nairobi during the handing over of eighteen houses that had illegally been acquired during the post-election violence in 2007/08.
Mr Godec said his government would continue to support programmes that seek to reduce politically and ethnically motivated conflicts in the country.
He said the focus at the moment is in Kiambiu, Kibera and Mathare in Nairobi, as well as in Rift Valley and to those that were affected by the violence.
He noted that the programme has opened an opportunity for more peaceful and prosperous Kenya.
NOT AN EASY TASK
The US envoy said that returning the houses to the rightful owners was not any easy task and lauded the local community for having agreed to the idea of reconciliation.
“There have been several meetings, dialogue and consultation that have gone into making this initiative to be possible,” said Mr Godec.
He said his government would continue to offer support to all 47 county governments across the country in nurturing healing and reconciliation.
“Land and housing represent a significant hurdle for peace and reconciliation efforts in many parts of the country,” he said.
Mr Godec said the US would continue to work with the Kenya government in various aspects of development.
“The United States and Kenya have been partners for 50 years and together we can accomplish great things,” said Mr Godec.
He said the US government has invested about Sh140 million in the two-year peace initiative in order to reduce politically motivated conflicts in the informal settlement settlements.
Tom Siyoi, the chairman of Kiambiu Landlords Association and who had lost his four plots was among those who received their property back.
Haroun Maina received back his house and praised the initiative, saying that he would be able to get back his house after more than five years.
“We had invested in his structures and for the last five years we have not been able to collect rent but we will be able to do so now,” Mr Maina added.
The tenants and landlords were reconciled in a dialogue that was facilitated by US agency for international development and Kenya tuna Uwezo.
The tenants have been given three months to find housing before the landlords take possession of the houses in order to carry out maintenance and renovation.
The landlords have agreed to offer the current occupants the refurbished houses as paying tenants in the spirit of community reconciliation and healing.
