Nairobi, 1 July 2010.

109 KENYAN REFUGEES RETURN

 About 109 Kenyan refugees who had sought refuge in Uganda following the 2007 post election violence returned home today.The refugees composing 53 families arrived at the Malaba border where they were met by Teso North DO one Luis Rono and Ministry of special programmes officials A.0. K'Obonyo and Mukhtar Mohammed. Among the returnees, the largest family had 8 members. This brings to 549 refugees who have voluntarily returned from Kiryandongo in Masindi, Uganda since September 2009. K'Obonyo said the Ministry had so far spent sh5m in assisting the returnees to start life afresh.

Buses carrying 109 Kenyan Refugees arrive at the Malaba Border point

Kenyan families off-load their luggage after a gruelling 350 kilometer journey from Kiryandongo Refugee Camp in Uganda

A UNHCR official from Uganda who accompanied the refugees, Ali Kaunda said each individual was paid 50 dollars (about sh4, 000) and non food items. Upon arrival the families were also given KShs 35,000 by Kenyan authorities. They were also given money for transportation to their preferred destinations to restart their lives.

Teso North DC Joseph Ng'etich gives GOK Support of KShs 35,000to a retunee at Jaki Guest House

Two families reported having lost their loved during their two-year stay in Uganda.

Teso North District Commissioner Joseph Rotich asked the returnees to invest the money in worty projects. He also told them to form groups and to take advantage of the various investment avenues that the government had initiated such as the youth fund and women fund.

A young returnee carries foodstuf from Kiryandongo Refugee Camp when they checked into Jaki Guest House in Malaba upon return

"If put to good use, this money that the government is giving you can help change your lives tremendously,” the DC said adding that some previous returnees had excelled in their investments and their lives were on the upswing. The D.C also told the returnees to use their contacts with those who are still left in Uganda to urge them to come to Kenya which has continued enjoying peace and stability.

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