Kenya: IDPs return home in North Rift

Election Violence Response Initiative (EVRI) Issue 10

A reconciliation meeting held on February 29, 2008 in Kachibora, Trans-zoia district between the Marakwet and the Kisii communities saw the first batch of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the area return home on Monday March 3, 2008.
The last batch is scheduled to be resettled on Monday, March 10, 2008.
The reconciliation meeting was convened by the special District Commissioner deployed to oversee peace situation in the area following the post-election violence that led to eviction of hundreds of people, mainly from Kisii ethnic group, deemed to be outsiders in the area dominated by the Marakwet.
During the meeting, a peace committee was established comprising six members from each community (three elders and three youth) to oversee the reconciliation efforts are achieved.
It is reported that the IDPs were happy to return to their homes and carry on their normal activities. It is reported that the attack meted against them was carried out by people from far flung areas and not their immediate neigbours.