Address Plight of IDPs, Maurice Opondo Appeals to President Ruto

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The Chairman of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Siaya County, Maurice Owino Opondo has appealed to President William Samoei Ruto to address the longstanding issue of IDP compensation in his forthcoming visit to Siaya County.

Maurice Owino Opondo, Chairman of Internally Displaced Persons, Siaya County. Photo | Lawrence Jeffrey

Opondo spoke while on a visit to DalanewsKe offices Saturday morning to report on the matter of an upsurge of impersonators within Nyanza claiming to be leaders of IDPs.

“This unscrupulous people are carrying out fake registration and collecting money fraudulently. We want them exposed as we will soon be taking up the matter with the police,” said Opondo, adding “Certified lists of IDPs are with the relevant authorities and am surprised that anyone should fall for these fraudsters.”

The destruction of property and physical harm caused during the postelection violence of 2007/2008 left many Kenyans with permanent disabilities. Photo | AP

The issue of compensation of victims of the 2007/2008 postelection violence has dragged on through three administrations with no solution in sight.

Opondo is now appealing to President Ruto to consider addressing the issue when he will be visiting Siaya.

He also appealed to the Interior PS, Raymond Omollo to follow up on his earlier promise to increase the number of Persons with Disabilities in the government’s cash-transfer programme.

“Usually it’s the widows and orphans that get majority of the slots with a token single slot for persons with disabilities. Let it be on record that a good number of IDPs are now PWDs,” said Opondo.

Mr. Maurice Owino Opondo at the offices of DalanewsKe outside Siaya town on Saturday 17 August 2024. Photo | Lawrence Jeffrey

Himself a living example of the callousness of the postelection violence Opondo sustained injuries in Juja, Kiambu County which led to both arms being amputated at the elbow.

“Besides the obvious effects of loosing my dignity the postelection violence left me handicapped and unable to do basic things such as providing school fees for my children and bringing up a decent family.”