IDPs opt to settle in Eldoret town slums

By Biketi Kikechi

Internally displaced peoples (IDPs) leaving the Eldoret Showground Camp have not returned to their original farms.

Many of the 360 IDP families that have left opted to settle in the town’s slums other than their original homes from where they were evicted at the height of post-election violence.

Wareng DC Alex ole Nkoiyo said the families have settled in Langas, Huruma, Maili Nne, Sukunanga, Tairi Mbili, Kasarani and other low-income estates in Eldoret. The Government hired lorries to ferry IDPs back to their farms, but they have remained idle and packed inside the showground.

None has so far volunteered to be relocated to their farms in Uasin Gishu and surrounding areas.

Those leaving use Tuk Tuk taxis, bicycles and handcarts while others carry their luggage to the neighbouring Langas and Kasarani estates.

It has emerged most of the IDPs moved to the showground from estates and other towns in North Rift.

Fresh claimants

The DC said many fake IDPs were returning to the showground with fake documents to claim payment.

Mr Nkoiyo spent the better part of Monday afternoon listening to individual cases from fresh claimants and politely dismissing most of them.

"You have received Sh35,000 and yet you are still living with other IDPs in their tents after surrendering yours," he told one of the claimants.

The IDPs in zones C and D have largely vacated the camp but those in zones A and B have not gone for the money.