Deserted IDP Camp - Almost

A lot can change in a week yet sometimes not as much as one expects. The government had said all were to be out of the Kedong IDP camp by Sunday. That has clearly not happened though most have been able to take advantage of the free transport and have secured new living quarters elsewhere.

Where once there were 100s of tents,
now only a few remain.

Many of the IDP have returned to Naivasha town. Although there is still fear about returning to the areas which saw so much violence earlier in the year, it helps that there are now more members from other tribes in the community.

I was told by some of the stragglers left in the Kedong camp that the government was no longer providing free transport as everybody was to have left the camp by Sunday. This proved not to be the case, however, as I saw two army lorries arrive just as I was leaving. Transport to Naivasha town may no longer be available, but for those wanting to return to their homelands in the West of the country, they can still do so at the government's expense.

Some of the last camp inhabitants are still there, holding out to see whether they will get anything else from the government. That is unlikely as the flower farm which provided the security and water is preparing to dismantle the infrastructure which has not yet been destroyed or stolen. It is amazing how many things "disappeared" after the Red Cross left, and how many plastic bags suddenly appeared, blowing in the wind and getting trapped in the nearest thorn bushes.

My guess is that, besides those in the camp holding out for a better deal, many of those who will be left behind will be those too poor to move on or those with no options of where to go. I'll check back at the Kedong camp later in the week to see if there is anything we can do to help. I'm sure the living conditions will deteriorate very quickly now. They still had some water available but that will probably change very soon.

The Kedong IDP camp in Naivasha had about 2,500 residents. All have been told that they must be out by this weekend. But so far only around 500 have received their compensation money. Yesterday the government officials were paying the IDP their dues until almost midnight. Until they finish, people will not leave the camp.

Handing out clothes to those who lost so much.
So much need, but impossible to help all.

The Kikuyu IDP in the Naivasha stadium are not being paid any compensation. If they want to get the Ksh 10,000/ they are due, then they must return to their homes. But most refuse to do so. They fear returning to the places where they lost everything, where their lives were threatened. That, they say, they will not do. Not even for money.

Preparing to leave the camp
for a new home.

But what will they do here? This morning the Red Cross left the Naivasha stadium. The camp IDP have all received a month’s rations of food. But how can people live without water? Four days now the Naivasha municipality has not provided any water!

Providing water to friends in need.

The government is pushing to put this problem behind them. They want the people out of the camps by the end of this weekend. You can only wonder what this coming week will bring.

Kedong IDP Camp, Naivasha

Sunday (the 22nd of June) the Red Cross left the Kedong IDP camp in Naivasha. That left everyone scared and worried. What now? Many still feared returning to the local community believing it was not yet safe to do so. But what were their alternatives?

Today the government promised to send army lorries to the camp to take the people and their belongings back home - "like cattle" was one resident's observation. The transport did not arrive in the morning as promised. Instead, it came in the evening. People are to leave the camp at night? And what are they then to do once they arrive at their destination in the middle of the night? Who is actually arranging this debacle?

Onlookers watching the army lorries

being packed and others being paid their compensation

Each person was also given Ksh 10,000/ (US $166) as compensation, to enable them to start their lives afresh. But how far would that money reach?

Since the Red Cross has left the residents complain that the state of the camp is deteriorating. Rubbish is lying all around, and the toilets smell. Last night the canvas was stolen off of the UNICEF tents from the former school. Canvas also disappeared from the shower blocks. People witnessed the perpetrators, but nobody really cares anymore. So nothing was done to stop them.

What will happen to those who have nowhere to go?