Marsabit: IDPs set to return home after years of waiting

By Michael Kwena

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within Marsabit County are set to be repatriated after four years of living in makeshift tents.

The IDPs have been living in temporary shelters following tribal clashes four years ago.

Marsabit governor Mohamud Ali said his administration has already allocated funds to facilitate the process.

Speaking in Maikona town in North Horr constituency, the county boss said that the affected families will receive assistance to rebuild their lives.

“We will collaborate with the county assembly so that families living in tents can return to their homes or alternatively, we can help them build houses and live with dignity,” he said.

The Marsabit peace committee chairperson Adan Chukulisa called on the government to speed up the process.

Chukulisa said that it is only through such efforts that communities can live in peace and harmony.

Chukulisa, a former councilor, noted that at least 600 families are still living in the IDP camps despite past assurances to resettle them.

“We lost lives and others were displaced during the skirmishes. Many families are living in poverty and misery. It’s the government’s responsibility to help these people,” he said.

Nominated MCA Darare Gonche has asked the area leaders to initiate dialogue between the communities affected by the clashes in a bid to get a lasting solution.

“When the Internal Security CS visited this area last month, he assured us that the IDPs would be resettled and therefore it’s important for the area leaders to begin dialogue,” she said.

If implemented, the move will mark the beginning of healing and reconciliation process for the warring communities affected by the conflict in the vast region.