Heart breaking tales of IDPs in Nakuru

BY PHILIP KAGIA
The post poll violence tragedy that unfolded in front of us over the past two years tells of painful accounts of irreparable loss. Carving to new street families that depend on well wishers for money, food, clothing and shelter- a personal encounter with one of the street families was heart breaking. As I walk home am approached by two young girls who to my reasoning should be in school.

At first I did not invite them for a show because I thought they were just part of another street gang out there to manipulate me but their case turned out to be different when one of them mentioned that she was an IDP from Nyama Choma camp along Nakuru /Nairobi highway. The solemn mood she posses tells it all so I finally give in to their plea.

The lady introduces her self as Njoki and narrates her story as I quote “sisi tume toka pande ya molo na kwa sasa sisi tu ko hapa nyama choma na hapo kuna shinda ya mavazi, chakula na tunaomba usaidizi wa kila aina …..(We are originally from Molo but for now we are Internally Displaced Persons at Nyama Choma camp.There are untold suffering at the camp and we need clothing, food and other assistance.)

Out of curiosity I ask;kwani Red Cross na Serikali hawa leti chakula na nguo … ? (Aren’t you being supported by the Red Cross and the Government?). She posed with surprise and remarked; … Pole lakini unajua huwa wana leta kidogo nahaitoshi (Sorry but the support is very minimal and we are so many in the camp.)

As I look at her more closely I realize that she is pregnant! Oh God! The emptiness and sympathy I feel is incomparable to no virtue in this world .At the first point I figure out that she is definitely selling out her body to get the money she needs for food and other basic necessities. God forbid!

The tidbit of this story shows how we Kenyans are so short in memory of the events that pre disposed the IDPs scenario. Much goes to the political elite who instead of holding the matter at their shoulders, are busy enjoying the fruits of the post poll violence-the struggle for power, as the ordinary Kenyan desperately cry for justice, while suffering.

The politicians keep on running away from the truth of the matter that the Internally Displaced People are suffering because of their (politicians) selfish gains. Their greed for power aimed at corrupt missions tells of the story of the greedy Hyena or wild dog that favors no situation but the ends to meet by all means the flesh, whether alive or dead,the target.The public coffer is the flesh.

Let the government implement Uhuru Kenyatta ‘s Finance Ministry plan of letting out money from the kind of luxurious and dubious spending by politicians and at least give the Nyama Choma Internaly Displaced Persons and many others who are suffering just because politicians wanted power. Will they have to wait until the undated day to go back home but at the moment we still have to cope with the street beggars who once had a home and worked hard to make ends meet?