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Court stops compensation of Sh 6bn to IDPs


A High Court in Nakuru halted the compensation of Sh 6 billion to integrated Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) over disagreements in payment criteria.

Justice Janet Mulwa on Tuesday issued conservatory orders prohibiting the Ministry of Interior Coordination of national government from proceeding with the payment of the money set for the resettling of the IDPs pending hearing and determination of the matter.

“The court hereby orders that the compensation process be stopped until the matter is heard and determined,” ruled justice Mulwa.

In December last year the government announced setting aside Sh 6 billion for the resettlement of over 90,000 of IDPs who integrated with other communities during the 2007/08 Post Election Violence.

During the 2007-08 post poll violence, over 650,000 people were displaced while 1,133 were killed.

The integrated IDPs moved to court last month seeking orders to compel the government to halt the compensation process until they are made aware of the criteria.

BENEFICIARIES

Through their IDP Support Initiative they sought to be furnished with the full list of beneficiaries to Sh 6 billion and the all other information regarding the compensation process.

They complained of a scheme by some government officials to secretly divert and benefit from the compensation money at the expense of the 90,000 genuine IDPs.

In an affidavit sworn by Mr Stephen Mbogwa on their behalf, the IDPs accused the government of intending to loot the money by refusing bring to light the mechanism put in place to ensure that only the genuine beneficiaries will be compensated.

“The beneficiaries of the Sh 6 billion are not known and there is no known criterion on how the public resources will be paid out,” read part of the petition.

Appearing before Justice Roseline Korir, the IDPs further sought the court to restrain the ministry from disbursing the money plus all other resources meant for compensation

The chairman of the National Coordination Consultative Committee on IDPs (NCCC) Mr Adan Wachu said the government will be resettling the IDPs who had integrated with other people after the clearing compensation of those living in the camps.

RESETTLEMENT

He further confirmed last month that the committee would issue a list of genuine integrated internally displaced persons who are also victims of 2007/2008 post-election violence before they can be compensated.

Mr Wachu said the committee had embarked on verifying people identified as IDPs in order to determine the genuine beneficiaries.

While addressing journalists Mr Wachu said the government had bought more than 170 parcels of land to settle the integrated IDPs.

He noted that parcels which had not been subdivided would soon be surveyed and individuals be issued with title deeds.

“Land has been bought to ensure that all the integrated IDPs are settled. With the help of relevant departments we should be able to settle them soon,” said Mr Wachu.

The IDPs however claim efforts to follow up the resettlement including by requesting for information from the government have borne no fruits.

Justice Mulwa directed that the parties serve each other with documents on or before May 15.