Are You Making The IDP Situation Better or Worse?

On Radio 316, the IDP reflection on rejection was both worrying and eye-opening. It started with resettlement rejection from people of Narok who upon learning that the government was planning this, resisted. You will remember that mass protests by the Maasai community led many IDPs to feel insecure even after they had accepted the government plans to settle them in the Narok area.

More recently, communities in Kitale openly expressed their intolerance as IDPs were outrightly rejected. Upon learning that the government had acquired the Kitale land, the IDPs were very happy but this jubilation was short-lived. According to a Kitale resident, ‘there are many squatters here already who have never been resettled and we don’t need other people to occupy our land’.

Former foreign affairs minister in a radio interview was quoted to have echoed ‘If there is any replacement, let the government settle those who have never been settled right here first’. He went on to add that consultation before making such decisions with communities was paramount for the government. Callers on Radio 316 expressed their varied emotions and the bottom line was to urge Kenyans not to add to the problems but rather embrace each other as brothers and sisters.

Even now, there is some element of suspicion with communities and this has not made the IDP issue any better. For all people especially Christians, there is a role you can play to make a difference. You can be the voice of peace even in discourses that encourage tribal intolerance. Additionally, you can help settle IDPs and Family Media together with Habitat for Humanity spearhead an awesome project. It is the Building Hope; One People United Campaign; which we plan to built at least 135 permanent homes for IDPs of Maai Mahiu. It is such initiatives that bring progress to this often - monotonous topic of IDPs.

Together, we can play an activate role in propagating love, peace and unity just as our lord instructs us. See the donate button for detailed information on how you can participate and let us stand out as people making a positive difference for the internally displaced persons in our country.