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Kenya: We're Not Poor, Victims Tell PC
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The Nation (Nairobi)
10 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
Sammy Cheboi
Nairobi
Refugees have reacted angrily to claims that majority of those who are reluctant to go back to their homes are either hawkers or paupers from town estates.
The victims camping at the Eldoret ASK showground on Friday singled out comments attributed to Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Noor Hassan Noor, that the majority of those making unreasonable demands for compensation were the urban poor who did not own any land.
"Wale wanaokataa kurudi nyumbani ni maskini wa mitaani (Those who are reluctant to go back to their former homes are poor people from town estates)," Mr Noor said early in the week while on a tour of the displaced camp that is home to more than 14,000 people.
The Government-backed resettlement exercise dubbed Operation Rudi Nyumbani encountered resistance on its second day in Eldoret as the displaced defied calls to pack and go back to their farms, citing security concerns and lack of compensation from the Government.
"We are not poor as alleged by some Government officials. We had wealth and are capable of generating it once we are resettled in an atmosphere of peace. Indeed, jealousy over our hard-working nature led to the violence visited on us," an angry Mrs Margaret Thuku retorted.
The resettlement exercise that aims to return more than 350,000 refugees back to their farms has come under sharp criticism for its hurried nature, which has been blamed for disregarding the security of the returnees, compensation for the victims and efforts at facilitating genuine reconciliation through dialogue by both the aggrieved and aggressors.
But the Government has been adamant that the exercise would go on irrespective of resistance from local communities.
"If the Government is genuine in resettling us, then our opinion counts. Why are they in a rush to take us back when all indications are that our neighbours are not ready to accept us?," Mr John Ndirangu asked.
The Government, however, insists that the operation is voluntary and only those willing will be assisted with transitional kits such as iron sheets, timber and food rations throughout the year.
While cautioning those with farms against being misled by a few opportunists who did not own any land, but resided in towns, Mr Noor gave them until Friday to decide whether to go back to their farms or remain at the camp.
Repeat attacks
Fears of repeat attacks once they return have made the refugees reconsider any rushed relocation from the showground camp.
The ineptitude or complicity of security agents during the recent violence is still fresh in their minds and not even the over 30 police stations can make them change their stand.
"Our people were attacked as police watched. How sure are we that those to be posted to the new police stations will not take sides?" Mrs Thuku posed.
The use of security personnel, without addressing the root causes of the recurrent clashes in the province, has been criticised by the region's leaders and residents.
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There have been calls for the release of those arrested on suspicion of participating in the violence as a condition for genuine reconciliation and resettlement.
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