Kenya’s post-election violence victims are still leading a wretched existence

During these holidays, thoughts turn to our families, neighbours, peace, love and sharing.

It is thus a good time to think of the many post-election violence victims who will miss their loved ones who died unnecessarily, got maimed or displaced during the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

Others will face family members who continue to struggle with health complications and the multiple burdens of wounds, physical and psychological.

Some remain without a safe place they can call home and have lost livelihoods that used to provide for their families.

In an editorial in this paper on March 26, 2008, we wrote that the litmus test of the coalition government would be how well it addressed the issue of the citizens whose rights it failed to protect.

Whether the PEV victims are being supported and the wrongs committed against them are being addressed is a key indicator of whether the country has moved beyond the forces that produced their plight.

As we face the New Year, it is a good time to reflect on where Kenya stands and where it needs to go.

Let’s begin with good news as it relates to the approximately 663,921 displaced Kenyan citizens (often called by the more bureaucratic term “internally displaced people” or IDPs).

The report, ‘Gains and Gaps’ by Kenya Human Rights Commission and the National IDP Network suggests that the government has made some important gains.

Kenya has had cycles of violence around elections starting in October of 1991, but the government has never acknowledged any responsibility to the victims.

In a major break with the past (if we exclude the problematic 1994 Moi Ndabi resettlement scheme ostensibly for the displaced), the government has set up programmes for the displaced.

As a result, many victims have received food rations and/or Sh10,000 in start-up fund, and Sh25,000 reconstruction fund.

Many have moved from the main camps to self-help camps, often far from the site of trauma.

Others have returned to their farms/homes and are re-integrated in their communities.

Some, especially in Eldoret, are farming. Some good efforts have led to the construction of houses in camps at Maai Mahiu.

Many displaced have also found access to nearby schools, some of which have facilities for early childhood education, and also to health facilities.

A number of police stations have also been rebuilt, and in some areas, peace-building efforts continue. This is heartening progress.

At the policy level, we also see gains. A draft National IDP policy exists and the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Resettlement of Internally Displaced people led by Mr Ekwee Ethuro has drafted an important Bill that will soon go before Parliament.