How Far Is Home For Kenya's Internally Displaced Persons?
The problem of Internally Displaced Persons in Kenya remains unresolved. The authors warn that it should be given the necessary attention since the situation in the camps is cause for great concern.
Published on 24 February 2011 in
ISS Today
By
Victoria Mwirichia and Jeniffer Katusya Barako Elema, Interns, African Conflict Prevention Programme, ISS Nairobi Office
The situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is not a new phenomenon in Kenya. The presence of IDPs can in fact be traced back to the colonial government when many indigenous landowners were evicted from their land and forced to resettle as squatters in the 'European Settlements'. Even with the end of European rule, the situation of IDPs did not change because most of the land that the Europeans left behind was administered by the new Kenya government, and much later distributed to people with political influence. The first major exodus of IDPs to satellite camps occurred in 1992 following the introduction of multi-party politics, which unearthed latent ethnic tensions underlying politics in Kenyan. Owing to the inability of the political leadership to adequately address these issues, the country also experienced similar political violence following the 2007 elections.
The 2007/2008 election violence led to the loss of over 1,000 lives and the displacement of an estimated 663 921 people. A report by UN-OCHA published in July 2009, indicated that an estimated 350 000 displaced persons sought refuge in 118 satellite camps across the country, while another lot of approximately 313 921 were integrated into communities. The increasing number of people seeking refuge has posed a serious challenge to national disaster management capacities and consequently raised major humanitarian concerns. The same report adds that prior to the 2007 elections, the camps hosted approximately 350 000 IDPs owing to previous unresolved land disputes, election-related violence and socio-economic insecurities.
The excessive population of IDP camps has resulted in poor living conditions characterized by poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, starvation, and lack of health and education facilities. As part of the healing and reconciliation efforts of the coalition government, resettlement of IDPs has been a key priority. A Department of Mitigation and Resettlement was subsequently established in the Ministry of State for Special Programmes (MoSSP) to facilitate the resettlement of IDPs. In one of its efforts, the Department initiated 'Operation Rudi Nyumbani' (a Swahili phrase meaning 'Return Home') in May 2008 to resettle IDPs. The operation received massive support from Kenyans. However, most IDPs were reluctant to return to their homes for fear of attacks from their neighbours. Some claimed to have been warned never to return, while others claimed that they returned only to find that there was nothing left to call home. Furthermore, the State expressed its commitment to the resettlement process by cancelling traditional the State House Christmas Celebration in 2010 so as to channel funds to the IDP resettlement process. The Office of the Vice President pledges that all the IDP's would be permanently resettled by the end of 2011, as reflected in the Agenda IV of the National Coalition Government. Additional support has been offered by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) through the support of NGOs and International organizations particularly the United Nations.
Despite all these commitments to settle IDPs, a great number still remains stuck in the satellite camps. In 2009, the Ministry of State for Special Programs issued figures of the remaining population of the camps, indicating 7 249 households still lodged in 43 transit farms in Rift Valley province whilst 6 711 households are hosted by 18 self-help groups. Out of the 663 921 displaced in 2007, only 347 800 have returned home or have been integrated within the host community. This state of affairs is appalling given that IDP camps are still over-crowded with people struggling to survive amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Next year the country will be returning to the ballot box, yet the plight of IDPs still remains a critical concern. Operation Rudi Nyumbani seems to have been overtaken by political events. Many aspirants for various positions in the 2012 elections are already campaigning, and giving large promises to the electorates, forgetting the promises already made regarding resettlement of IDPs. But Kenyans are watching. Currently, the country is battling with issues such as implementation of the new constitution, appointment of key government officials and prosecution of persons believed to have borne the greatest responsibility during the 2007-2008 post-election violence. In the wake of all these pressing issues, the IDPs seem to have been conveniently forgotten, at least for now. It should be noted that the problem of internal displacement of people is reflective of deficiencies in governance issues, politics, the question of land, ethnicity, impunity and economic inequality. In short, the human security concerns of the IDPs have been relegated at the expense of the political interests of political aspirants.
Continued delay in addressing the plight of returnees has its own implications. Rift Valley province, being the most affected region, is also Kenya's most fertile land. This is actually the bedrock of Kenya's agricultural capacity. Continued instability in the region will translate into unstable productivity with obvious implications for food and human security. Should this pattern continue, the region might be prone to violence and increasing clusters of IDPs as a result of population growth and recent displacements occurring within the pastoralist communities. Uncertainties revolving around the land question should be addressed properly through the lenses of the new constitution.
As we approach 2012, the future cost of delay and neglect may prove detrimental and needs to be addressed properly in public debates. There is need for careful analysis of previous patterns and trends of political behaviour as a way of preventing a repeat of violence and introducing relevant policy. Stakeholders need to review the resettlement plan and allow the various resettlement initiatives to take roots. Advocacy and capacity building initiatives need to be encouraged in a very strategic and assertive manner on the needs and rights of the IDPs.
