A group of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in Kiandutu slums in Thika have decried what they have termed as neglect by the government.
The IDPs who total to around 300 people led by their Chairman John Njuguna have said that since they moved to the slum following the 2007/2008 Post Election Violence, they have never received any form of compensation from the government like the other IDPs.
Njuguna speaking to journalists at the slum on Tuesday, said that when they came to the slum, they were around 450 people but more than 100 have since died or relocated to other areas.
"We came here to be housed by our relatives while some were able to rent small rooms. We then informed the then Thika District Commissioner and the Ministry of Social Programmes who took our names and promised us support. That is the last time we heard from the government despite our several follow-ups," said Njuguna.
Njuguna adds that they never received the Sh10,000 offered by the government as compensation in 2010 during the Operation Rudi Nyumbani campaign.
He says that instead fake IDPs benefited from the money leaving them in absolute poverty. Njuguna now hopes that the Sh1.2 billion set aside for resettlement of IDPs in 2015/2016 budget will reach and help them start a new life.