Treasury is sitting on money meant to resettle those who were removed from the Mau Forests Complex, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said today.
Speaking during a funds drive in aid of Tengecha Boys High School in Kapkatet, Buret Constituency, Mr Odinga said the Ministry of Lands had identified parcels of land for resettlement of those who left the Mau and put the amount needed to purchase the land at about Sh3 billion.
The PM said the government then instructed Treasury to get the money and buy the land for a quick resettlement of the residents, but it has not been done.
He said neither the Ministry of Lands nor the Office of the Prime Minister provides funds for government programmes adding that all state projects are funded by Treasury.
He said he feared Treasury was withholding the money for political reasons.
"The Ministry of Lands does not keep money. All that the ministry did was to find the land. Paying for that land so that people can be settled on it is the work of Treasury," the PM said.
Once again, the PM explained that he got involved in the Mau to ensure that the relocation was not as brutal and ruthless as was the case in 2005 when the residents were first removed.
The PM said the removals were going to take place even if he did not get involved but he was concerned about the manner it was done in the past.
The PM had earlier visited the Tengecha Boys School which was partiallay razed down by fire about two weeks ago, to assess the damage.
He donated Sh1 million and another 500 iron sheets for the rehabilitation of the school and to support traders who also lost their goods and shops at Kapkatet Trading Centre in the same tragedy.
The PM called on learning institutions and business premises to take insurance to ensure losses are paid for when accidents occur.
He was accompanied at the functions by Roads Minister Franklin Bett, assistant Minsiters Magerer Langat and Beatrice Kones and MP Joyce Laboso.
ENDS
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