The government will on Monday launch a fundraising campaign for nearly 500 million US dollars for the resettlement and support of persons displaced by the post-election violence.

The government invited all Kenyans and other well wishers to support the fund. "Private companies, all leaders and other well-wishers are requested to support the fund so that our brothers and sisters can be relocated back to their homes," a spokesman, Dr Alfred Mutua, said.

Thousands of displaced people on Monday began their journey back home in military trucks and buses, amid confusion and uncertainty. The programme, dubbed 'Operation Rudi Nyumbani' (return home), began in the Rift Valley Province.

A total of 59,784 IDPs from different farms were resettled this week, and 70, 000 are still in camps and will soon be resettled, the government announced Thursday.

Some IDPs were reluctant to return home despite government assurances that security had been boosted. Police said they will ensure returnees were adequately protected.