By Reuben Olita
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Busia County have made a passionate appeal to President William Ruto to intervene and address the long-standing challenges that have continued to afflict them nearly two decades after they were displaced by the Mt Elgon conflict.
Speaking during a meeting held at IFC Church Kocholia on Thursday, the IDPs said life remains extremely difficult, with many struggling to access basic needs such as food, shelter, education, healthcare, and clothing.
Busia County IDPs Coordinator Grace Kadogo Sudi said many families are surviving through casual farm work, which barely provides enough income to sustain them.
“Life is difficult for us. Most of us depend on tilling other people’s farms for survival, but the income is too little compared to the many needs we have,” she said.
Sudi further claimed that although former President Uhuru Kenyatta had promised compensation of Ksh200,000 for each IDP, many only received Ksh50,000 while others received nothing at all.
“We are still living in rented houses despite all the promises made to us,” she added.
Youth representative Nelson Okware urged President Ruto not to forget the plight of young people living in displacement.
“We do not have permanent places to stay and continue living in rental houses. Kindly remember the youths. We deserve empowerment programmes, education support, and stipends to help us survive,” he said.
Okware added that many young people cannot afford tuition fees and accommodation costs due to unemployment and lack of opportunities.
PWD Chairperson for Kocholia, Mike Nderitu, also appealed for support for persons living with disabilities.
“Remember us as persons with disabilities. Some of us do not even have wheelchairs. You are our leader and we shall continue supporting you,” he said.
Alice Siboko said women were left to suffer in silence after their husbands either died or ran away. ” We rely on casual jobs and staying at the mercy of well-wishers for survival.”
Another resident, Simon Otwane, said unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges facing the displaced families.
“We love you so much as Busia IDPs. It is difficult for us to secure job opportunities. Kindly remember us,” he said.
Background of the Mt Elgon Conflict
The plight of the IDPs traces back to the 2006–2008 insurgency by the Sabaot Land Defence Force in Mt Elgon, near the Kenya-Uganda border.
The conflict was largely fueled by disputes over the Chebyuk Settlement Scheme, a government land resettlement programme involving the Mosop and Soy clans of the Sabaot community.
During the insurgency, the militia reportedly carried out killings, rapes, torture, forced taxation, and destruction of property, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
Humanitarian agencies estimated that tens of thousands of people were displaced during the violence, with many fleeing to neighbouring regions, including Teso in Busia County and parts of eastern Uganda.
Following the military operation dubbed Operation Okoa Maisha in 2008, the militia was dismantled, but many displaced families say they were never fully resettled or compensated.
Several of those who settled in Teso say they continue to face poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, and lack of access to government support programmes years after the conflict ended.
