[VIDEO] Never again, Uhuru says as state pays Nyamira IDPs Sh470 million

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Jubilee leaders during a tour of Nyamira, June 7, 2017. /PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta with Jubilee leaders during a tour of Nyamira, June 7, 2017. /PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged that post-election violence will never take place under his watch.

He said this when handing over Sh470 million to integrated IDPs in Nyamira County on Wednesday.

The latest disbursement brings to Sh828 million the total amount of money used to compensate integrated internally displaced persons.

In Kisii, the president paid out Sh358 million to support the group which was affected by the 2007/08 post-poll violence.

The incidences which followed a disputed election result left more than 1,300 dead and over 650,000 displaced.

Uhuru’s plan is to support IDPs who resettled at their various homes in all 33 counties that were affected by the fracas.

Those who lived in tents had been settled and their camps closed in February last year.

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"Our first priority was to resettle those who lived in IDP camps and we have succeeded in that."

"What we have started now will close the issue of integrated IDPs in 33 counties including Meru, Nyandarua, Vihiga, Kakamega, Kisumu, Migori," the President said.

He spoke at Ekerenyo in Nyamira where he also handed over cheques for the integrated IDPs.

Uhuru vowed that Kenya will never go back to the violence that pushed many citizens out of their homes.

"We will never allow our nation to return to the violence that created this problem. No way," he said.

He called on the Opposition as well as those in Jubilee Party to preach peace during campaigns for August 8 general election.

"I urge my opponents and my supporters to preach peace. I do not want politics of insults because the end result of such talk is chaos and violence," the President said.

"Turn away those who come to you with insults. Ask them to give you what plans they have for your progress...let us embrace peace whether you oppose or support me. This county is bigger that any of us."

The President further asked the people, especially youths, to reject politicians preaching tribalism and divisive politics.

Uhuru, who was on his second day of campaigns in Gusii land, made several stops including at Ikonge and Ekerenyo.

He was due to visit Nyamira town, Kimera, Magombo, Rigoma, and Nyansiongo.

Among leaders who attended the rally were Education CS Fred Matiang'i, former EALA MP Joseph Kiangoi, Nyamira Speaker Joash Nyamoko (aspiring North Mugirango MP) and Borabu parliamentary aspirant Patrick Osero.

They dismissed the notion that Kisii and Nyamira are opposition strongholds and promised Uhuru the community's support.

ODM MPs have accused the President of bribing voters in the guise of compensating IDPs in Kisii and Nyamira during campaign tours.

They have demanded a comprehensive audit of the compensation scheme, noting the exercise has been marred with discrimination.

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