Interior PS Raymond Omollo summoned over Sh6.5 billion IDP compensation delay

The High Court in Nakuru has summoned Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to appear in person on May 26 to explain why the government has failed to compensate over 75,000 victims of the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

The court also expects Omollo to clarify the status of Sh6.5 billion that was allocated by the court in April 2017 for the victims, who are officially recognised as Integrated Internally Displaced Persons (IIDPs).

The victims had sued the Interior Ministry and the Attorney General, seeking compensation after years of waiting in vain.

The government had previously agreed to an out-of-court settlement, but the process stalled after the Attorney General failed to sign the consent.

State Counsel Sonia Wanjeri told the court that while the Solicitor General returned the consent file in 2022, no instructions were given on how to proceed.

“For the sake of clarity, I hereby summon the PS Interior to appear in person,” ruled Justice Hedwig Ong’udi, who expressed disappointment over the government’s broken promises.

Advocate Ndubi Bosibori criticised the lack of action, urging the court to compel the Attorney General to issue a formal rejection if the government had changed its position.

“We need communication from the AG. This money was specifically set aside for this matter,” he said.

The victims’ lawyer, David Mongeri, expressed frustration over the delays. “Negotiations had significantly progressed, only for the AG to stall the process. The AG, an officer of the court, has wasted our time with false promises since 2017,” he said.

In 2017, the court, then under Justice Joel Ngugi, now at the Court of Appeal, ordered the funds withheld after rival groups claimed to be the rightful beneficiaries.

A verification process took three years, after which the court confirmed Joakim Mwangi as Chair, John Mwaniki as Secretary-General, and Teresia Muiruri as Treasurer of the legitimate group.

The victims had submitted a settlement proposal. However, in April 2023, the court was informed that progress had stalled.

On February 1, 2024, Mongeri stated that all parties except the AG had signed the consent. Advocate Ndubi later told the court that the Sh6.5 billion had already been used, and any future compensation would now depend on the 2024/2025 financial year.

Speaking to the media after a past court ruling, the victims urged the government to fast-track their payments and ensure full inclusion of everyone affected by the clashes.

The matter will be mentioned again on May 26, ahead of Omollo’s scheduled appearance.

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