IDPs camp outside Parliament for second day


Published on 13/11/2008

By Beauttah Omanga

The plight of more than 500 IDPs camping outside Parliament continued for the second day.

They vowed to stay put until President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressed their problems.

The group told several leaders they had been threatened not to return to the homes they were evicted from.

Rift Valley IDPs outside Parliament, yesterday. They were among the more than 500 women protesting against Government failure to compensate them. Photo: Kibera Mbugua/Standard

On Wednesday, Molo MP Joseph Kiuna claimed leaflets were being circulated in his constituency threatening certain communities of fresh chaos if names of leaders from a certain region were found in Waki’s sealed envelope.

"I received a leaflet and I personally handed it over to the Molo DC. The Government must launch thorough investigation now before chaos erupts in Molo," he said.

Mr Kiuna, who spoke to the Press after addressing the protesting IDPs, said tension was building in areas where some had returned.

On Wednesday, Special Programmes PS Mr Mohammed Ali and Nairobi PC James Waweru went into a meeting with representatives of the IDPs within Parliament Buildings.

Mr Ali, who arrived at the camp on Wednesday, stopped former Cabinet minister Njenga Karume from addressing the IDPs, demanding to know what message he had.

Ali and Provincial Administration PS Kenneth Lusaka held a lengthy consultation with Mr Karume and prevailed upon the former minister to leave without addressing the group.

An official of the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, Mr Charles Maina, said his organisation had carried out a survey across the affected areas and discovered that chiefs were undermining efforts to resettle the victims.

"Chiefs who have been tasked to ensure smooth resettlement are now blocking those who are trying to go back. Money meant for the IDPs is being given to villagers who evicted IDPs," claimed Maina, who also addressed the protestors.

 

 

 

 

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