Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has ignited an online war with Rift Valley leaders led by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi over the Mau evictions in Elburgon,Molo.
Through his facebook page, Moses Kuria has claimed that Gideon Moi is leading other Rift Valley leaders in seeking government intervention to evict over 60,ooo occupying Mau forest. They were settled in Mau Forest by the former President Daniel Arap Moi.
The outspoken Transformation National Alliance Party leader, has boldly said that he had kept the situation at bay by speaking to the locals who were engaging in illegal logging activities through educating them on the importance of conserving the trees.
Photo: Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria
Kuria further stated that he was exploring other plans that would see the people of Elburgon get proper settlement away from the Mau forest. This is because Molo is the source of River Mara and many others that give life to many parts of Kenya and beyond.
But he has castigated the Rift Valley leaders of planning to forcefully evict 60,000 people with a proper plan to settle them.
This follows a meeting which was held in Nakuru and attended by fifteen leaders for talks that centred on how to engage the Government and ensure the eviction exercise is carried out in a humane way and the victims compensated.
They were led by Baringo Senator and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party leader Isaac Ruto and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos.
Also in attendance were MPs Wilson Sossion, William Kamket, Silas Tiren and Gladwell Tungo.Others were Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat, his CCM counterpart Zedekiah Buzeki, and former MPs Paul Sang, Franklin Bett, Magerer Langat, Musa Sirma and Zakayo Cheruiyot.
The leaders say they fear the second wave of forest evictions, if not well handled, could displace tens of thousand of residents leading to a humanitarian crisis that could snowball into ethnic violence.
Photo: Mau Forest/courtesy
Gideon, who hosted the leaders at Kabarak, called for broader consultation among all stakeholders before the Government carries out the operation.
“The information from South Rift leaders that over 60,000 people will be rendered homeless is extremely sad. Let us sit down and reason. Let us bring on board the top leadership of the country and find a solution,” he said.
The senator noted that nearly 8,000 school-going children would be affected by the eviction, adding that out of the number, 1,000 learners were expected to sit for their national examinations at the end of the year.
But the much agitated Moses Kuria feels that the leaders have bad intetion which aims at literally sending the people away.