PeaceNet Updates
December 5, 2013
Illegal Tenants Handover Houses in Kiambiu Amb. Godec witnessing the handover ceremony in Kiambiu yesterday.
TENANTS who capitalized on the 20072008 post election violence to occupy houses in Kiambiu slum returned them to rightful owners yesterday. US ambassador Robert Godec presided over the ceremony that was held at the Chief’s Camp in Kiambiu yesterday. Amb. Godec thanked the slum community and Kenya Tuna Uwezo (KTU) project for their efforts to enhance peaceful coexistence among residents in the area.
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13 people voluntarily hand over houses acquired during 2008/2008 PEV to rightful owners. US ambassador presides over ceremony, citing it as an example of the fact the “change is possible.” Handover ceremony - an outcome of reconcilition process being undertaken in the slum areas (Mathare, Korogocho, Kibera and Kiambiu) by the KTU project
He also lauded the affected parties for dealing with the land problem in the slum peacefully.
The voluntary handover exercise was a result of the reconciliation and healing process initiated by the Kenya Tuna Uwezo.
“Land and housing represent a significant hurdle for peace and reconciliation efforts in many parts of the country. Lessons learnt from the process in Kiambiu offer hope and should encourage all Kenyans that change is possible.” He noted.
Funded by the USAID, KTU aims at reducing political and ethnically motivated conflict in Kiambiu, Korogocho, Mathare and Kibera slums.
Thirteen people returned houses that they had illegally acquired.
PeaceNet Kenya CEO Mr. Stephen Kirimi and CHF director Seline Korir also attended the event.