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Kenya: Return to Molo Marked With Joy, Fear
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The East African Standard (Nairobi)
8 May 2008
Posted to the web 7 May 2008
Steve Mkawale
Nairobi
For thousands of those uprooted from their homes during the post-election violence in Molo District, returning would have been a much-awaited pleasure.
Instead, it has become a complex equation marked by extreme emotions - fear, dreams, nightmares, nostalgia and hostility, which the families said must be addressed.
About 2,000 people who went back on Monday spent the night in the ruins of their former homes.
"We expected some food, blankets, and building materials, as the Government had promised. But last night we slept in cold tents without anything to cover ourselves," said Bishop Harrison Mwangi of the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa.
Mwangi is from one of 31 families who were ferried to Kiambogo farm in three military trucks and two buses.
"It is good to be back home, but without a roof over our heads and food, it would be difficult for us to lead normal lives," he said, when we met the families, now camping at a neighbour's farm.
To many, the journey back home after five months of living in camps was short, but highly emotional.
"I took to the bush with my four children and hid there for many nights," recalls Naomi Njeru Waweru. She was afraid of marauding youth and later fled to Molo town.
"If I had stayed, I would have been killed," she said, as she looked at the structure that was once her house.
Instead, she became a long-term refugee, together with thousands of others. The hope of returning home sustained her through months of hardship and psychological despair.
"There were weeks when I could only think of my dead husband and my home," she said. "My memories were the only thing I had left."
But though the thought of home kept her going, there were several unexpected twists in Njeri's tale before she could realise her dream.
She stayed strong and, after a peace deal was struck between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the big moment finally arrived.
There was euphoria followed by doubt and apprehension. "I was happier than I had ever been when I first heard the news that the two (leaders) had agreed," Njeri said.
"But now I am afraid. I was safe in the refugee camp. My children had food. Why should I risk everything again? Perhaps the fighting would start all over, and my remaining family would be killed. But Kiambogo is my home. I must stay here," she said firmly.
Another surprise awaited Njeri and her family when they returned home.
"The bus dropped us off," she said, "Kenya Red Cross Officials gave us tents, but there was nothing else. There were no houses, no schools, no wells and no crops. Maybe no future here."
The IDPs now face new challenges at their homes.
By Wednesday afternoon, the Government was yet to provide the food and building materials it promised the displaced families when they returned home.
"We are waiting for food. Even the tents they gave us on Monday are not enough. We are forced to share," said Mr James Karanja, as he cleared the long grass in his compound.
Although happy to return home, Karanja is skeptical: "Why abandon the relative safety of a refugee camp, no matter how desperate the conditions, for a leap into the unknown? Will there be any homes, schools or clinics to return to? What about land and crops?"
Contingents of armed security personnel patrolled villages that were affected by the flare-ups. Area DC Mr Katee Mwanza moved from one village to another, assuring them of their security.
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"The Government wants you to settle down quickly and start leading normal lives. Please be patient as we sort out the compensation issue," the administrator pleaded with the occupants of Kiambogo, Kuresoi and Gacharage farms within the District.
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