Top 10 food crisis countries hosting the most IDPs
Based on 2023–2024 internal displacement data
23d agoHillary BettInfographics
Internally Displaced Persons from 16 counties have collectively petitioned President William Ruto to finalise their long-awaited resettlement.
Meeting in Nakuru, representatives of the victims expressed their frustration at suffering without permanent homes for many years.
Patrick Githinji, chairman of the IDPs, highlighted that only a small fraction of the estimated 580,000 families displaced during the 2007-08 post-election violence have been resettled.
He said that some political leaders are trivialising the PEV and using it as a threat, without regard for the affected individuals.
Githinji condemned recent statements by politicians regarding the violence, which claimed more than 1,000 lives, displaced thousands, and destroyed property worth billions of shillings.
Speaking after a meeting with former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, Githinji urged President Ruto to expedite the enactment of the IDP Act. He stressed that this legislation is crucial not only for the 2007-08 IDPs but also for countless other homeless individuals across the country, aiming to end their nearly 18 years of suffering.
The group further cautioned parliamentarians to establish a robust legal framework to address internal displacements, which Githinji said are caused by various factors, including conflicts, natural calamities like floods and landslides.
Githinji revealed that thousands of IDPs continue to live in rented homes nationwide, despite the government under former President Mwai Kibaki having acquired about 200 vast pieces of land for their resettlement.
He also said that displaced families were unable to access their allocated funds after accounts holding more than Sh2 billion were frozen by the previous regime.
"There are 77 vast pieces of land bought for IDPs that were never subdivided to them; the same land is now being targeted by grabbers," he said.
The IDP representatives appealed to Ngunjiri to intercede on their behalf with the President.
Githinji added, "Ngunjiri understands IDPs well and has journeyed with them over the years, which is why we feel he is the best person to discuss this issue with the President."
Ngunjiri affirmed the necessity of finally resolving the issues surrounding the 2007-08 IDPs to prevent their exploitation and oppression during every election cycle.
He said that various political alliances have previously politicised these issues, making unfulfilled promises to gain power.
Ngunjiri emphasised that the IDPs are not demanding anyone’s land or new budgetary allocations, as the government had already acquired sufficient land for their resettlement.
He added that money was also allocated during former President Kibaki’s era, and the IDPs are simply requesting the release of these funds.
The former MP cautioned politicians against using the history of the PEV to threaten the government, warning that it re-ignites suspicion among communities.
