Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru during a news conference at The Treasury September 5, 2013. She said government has set aside Sh3.3 billion to resettle 8,298 families displaced by the post election violence.
The government has set aside Sh3.3 billion to resettle 8,298 families displaced by the post election violence.
The internally displaced persons will receive Sh400,000 per household to buy land elsewhere as the government said all camps will be closed by end of September.
Each of the families will also receive a further Sh10,000 for logistics to leave the camps set up six years ago.
Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru said the government had pledged to resettle all the IDPs as soon as possible to enable them to integrate with other members of society and begin life afresh.
"Resettlement of IDPs is a key component of assuring Kenya’s long-term stability and the Jubilee government is fully committed to taking steps to resolve this matter,” said Ms Waiguru Thursday during a news conference at The Treasury, Nairobi Thursday.
"We want to ensure that those who were unwillingly uprooted from their homes and livelihoods find a way back to society…the government wants to bring the matter of the existing IDPs to a final conclusion."
IDPs located in Eldoret, Mai Mahiu and Camp Kembu in Mau Forest will be the first to get the money and their camps shut on Saturday.
President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, accompanied by other top government officials, will preside over the closing of the camps.
CONFIRM BANK DETAILS
Some 650,000 people were uprooted from their homes during the 2007/8 post-election violence that also led to the death of 1,133.
The government has opened accounts for the families but they will be required to confirm the bank details before the money is released.
“The head of the household and their spouse will be the joint signatories to the money. This is a move to ensure that women are not left behind in the monetary decisions that will ultimately affect their livelihoods,” Ms Waiguru said.
The remaining camps are in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kikopey, Kiambu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu.
The government's move comes just days to the start of Mr Ruto's trial at the International Criminal Court.
He will be tried alongside journalist Joshua Sang beginning September 10.
President Kenyatta’s trial is set for November 12.
They have been accused of masterminding the violence that followed a disputed presidential election in 2007.
