Jubilee leaders vow to pay and resettle remaining IDPs

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto reiterated their promise to resettle and compensate those who were displaced in the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

The President said, however, that it is only the integrated Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are yet to be compensated.

Representatives of the victims, Mr Kariuki Muthengi, Mr Robert Opiyo and Mr Simon Motari were given opportunity to speak at the thanksgiving ceremony held at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru County for the dropping of charges against the Ocampo Six.

The victims said they had already forgiven the wrongs that were committed against them and were ready to forge ahead.

In addition, the victims thanked the President for resettling them, reminding him, however, of the plight of those who were absorbed by other communities.

The representatives also requested for an appointment to have a meeting with Mr Kenyatta whom they gave a list of names of IDPs who are yet to be resettled.

President Kenyatta said, however, that there are no IDPs in the camps.

“I want to promise you one thing, there is a lot we are have done to help those affected. Today, no IDP is staying in tents. The only ones remaining are the integrated IDPs and most of them were not even from the 2007 case. But even then we have said, in order to ensure justice is delivered, we shall also ensure that they too are catered for,” he said.

“We know we have wronged one another and have sort forgiveness from one another…others have suffered and my promise to all victims is that I and the people of Kenya stand ready to continue doing what we are doing to heal those wounds and those yet to compensated, we will ensure every victim is properly and truly compensated,” he stated.

Planning and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri who invited the victims’ representatives to the dais said the instructions were clear that everybody who was affected will be catered for.

Deputy President William Ruto said it is the government’s responsibility to settle those who were affected.

“Victims of the post-election violence are our friends, we went to Sunday school with them…we attended the same schools, they are our neighbours…many have been resettled and the process will come to a conclusion very soon,” he promised.