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Relatives reject violence victims
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 11 March 2008 18:35
The rejection of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled to the Kisii districts by their relatives has led to overcrowding in local camps.
Those repulsed have gone back to camps in Ekerenyo, Keroka, Gusii stadium and Riatengeya chief’s camp, causing a strain on food supplies.
On Monday, Kisii central Maendeleo ya Wanawake organisation chairperson Florence Manduku and her Nyamira counterpart Mary Orwenyo donated maize to the refugees.
They were concerned by the conditions in the camps and asked the Government and humanitarian organisations to intervene.
West Mugirango MP James Gesami said the families lacked food. He attributed the problem to congestion and land shortage in Kisii districts due to high population.
At Ekerenyo divisional headquarters, 1,396 IDPs had no blankets and most of them slept on cold ground.
“We are shocked that the refugees are eating ugali without vegetables or any accompaniment,” Mrs Orwenyo said.
She asked the Red Cross and other well-wishers to provide the IDPs with beans, peas and other basic things.
Red Cross officials Rachael Okong’o and Nicholas Momanyi said 167 pupils were suffering at Ekerenyo camp.
Secondary schools
“Forty students who were admitted to local secondary schools have dropped out due to lack of fees,” Mrs Okong’o said.
Mrs Okongo, who is also a teacher at Kebabe Primary School, said the more than 90 pupils admitted to the institution from the camp had strained resources at the school.
“Eight of the pupils were not registered for KCPE despite being candidates,” she said. She said 35 nursery children were in the camp due to lack of fees.
Ms Grace Omwando, Margaret Kombo and Calen Nyanchama who were displaced from Kericho District, said their relatives asked them to return to the camps due to shortage of food.
The majority at the camp are women and children.
