By SILAH KOSKEI
NANDI, KENYA: Serengonik forest evictees in Nandi County have refuted claims by Deputy President William Ruto that their resettlement has been hampered by a pending court case.
The evictees who have been camping along the road since 2005 denied assertions that they had filed a suit on their resettlement and said they have been waiting for the government to give them alternative land.
While addressing a public rally in Eldoret on Monday, Ruto said plans to resettle the forest evictees in the North Rift have been hampered by a court injunction by the Serengonik group contesting some names on the resettlement list.
The DP added that the government had set aside money to resettle the Serengonik group as part of the jubilee government’s promise to ensure that every Kenyan has a place to live. “I am calling on the Serengonik group to find ways to initiate talks on how to solve the stalemate out of court so that we can fully embark on their resettlement plans,” he added.
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However, Serengonik group’s chairman Paul Kipkoech denied filing any suit to challenge their resettlement. He stated that the group wants to be resettled in order to improve their livelihood which has been marred with health problems and economic hardships.
“We are happy that the Deputy President mentioned us as part of individuals whose plight had not been addressed and we will soon get help though we want to make it clear that there is no court case that we have lodged that has delayed our resettlement,” he said.
He revealed that the group that is faced with legal battles is the Buret/Cengalo evictees in Uasin Gishu and not Nandi, adding that the government should resettle them as the Uasin Gishu group sorts its matter in court.
In a swift rejoinder, Mr Paul Kurgat a member of Buret/Cengalo evictees said they will not withdraw the injunction until officials from the Ministry of Special Programmes engages them in resettlement talks.
Kurgat said the matter was taken to the Nairobi High court after a section of the group’s names was not included in the resettlement list.
