(President Uhuru Kenyatta issuing cheques to IDPs in Kisii. Kisii County commissioner has suspended the exercise due to controversy. Photo/Nation)
County Commissioner Samwel Njora on Monday postponedthe IDPs compensation exercise amid confusion, claims of fraud and accusations of nepotism.
Mr Njora asked the IDPs to report to their home sub-counties for verification of their details and compensation.
Prior to the postponement, controversy and acrimony marred the exercise as it entered its fourth day at Gusii Stadium.
The exercise which begun on Friday came on the heels of last week's announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta of a Sh 830 m compensation package for survivors of the 2008 post-election violence.
Mr Njora said he had made the decision to forestall the possibility of further chaos in the stadium, where the violence survivors have been camping.
He warned of cartels that had taken advantage of the process to insert names of fake IDPs into the compensation lists.
“We are aware that some names have been inserted into the lists and this is the main source of the controversy surrounding the process,” said Mr Njora.
He said the government had opened accounts for the IDPs and they were required to report to the stadium for verification of their details and payment however the process had been overshadowed by some unscrupulous individuals.
"We know that some crooked people have inserted the names of fake IDPs for a share of the proceeds from the compensation package," said the commissioner.
He said the beneficiaries of the process would be subjected to a rigorous vetting process overseen by village elders, church leaders and national administration officials.
“We will thoroughly vet each individual presenting details for compensation and any fake IDPs will be automatically weeded out and rejected. We are ensuring that conmen will not interfere with the process,” he said.
Mr Njora clarified that the amount payable to the beneficiaries was Sh 50,000 of which Sh 400 would be deducted by the bank as transaction fees.
He also said the IDPs who were paid the Sh 10,000 initially would not be compensated further, contrary to what he termed “rumours by swindlers”.
“We are not giving extra compensation to those who received the Sh 10,000 but concentrating on those who did not receive a penny in the 2008 exercise,” said the county commissioner.
According to the new payment schedule released by Mr Njora, IDPs in Kisii South will be paid on Friday, June 16. Kitutu Central and Kenyenya survivors will be compensated on 15. Sameta, Nyamache and Marani IDPs will be paid onJune 19.
Gucha and South Mugirango survivors will receive their compensation on Tuesday, June 20. Kisii Central, Nyaribari Masaba will receive compensation on Wednesday, June 21.
Mr Njora said the compensation lists would be pinned on notice boards in the various sub-county offices for public scrutiny.