By REUBEN OLITA
May 15, 2026| Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Busia County have made a passionate appeal to President William Ruto, urging him to intervene in the long-standing challenges that have afflicted them for nearly two decades since their displacement during the Mt. Elgon conflict.
Speaking during a meeting at IFC Church Kocholia on Thursday, the IDPs described life as extremely difficult, with many struggling to access basic necessities 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 generates 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 each IDP Ksh200,000 in compensation, many received only 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 youth. 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.
Mike Nderitu, the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Chairperson for Kocholia, also appealed for support.
“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 noted that women have been left to suffer in silence after their husbands either died or fled. “We rely on casual jobs and remain at the mercy of well-wishers for survival.”
Another resident, Simon Otwane, said unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges facing 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 IDPs’ plight 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 a military operation dubbed Operation Okoa Maisha in 2008, the militia was dismantled. However, 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 a lack of access to government support programmes years after the conflict ended.