Gov Issues Warning Over Mau Eviction Saga

 

Police officer inspecting a section of the Mau Forest

Narok South Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Felix Kisalu warned those inciting the illegal settlers who are voluntarily moving out of the Mau forest to stop or face dire consequences.

Speaking during a public Barraza held at Kapgengoi in Narok South on Thursday, the Deputy County Commissioner said that there have been reports that some people who don’t want to obey the government directive to leave the forest have been inciting those who are leaving the forest telling them not to vacate the area.

“We have reports that those who are leaving voluntarily are being threatened, intimidated, ridiculed and even incited and this must stop forthwith,” stated Kisalu.

So far 2,200 households have partially moved out of the area following an eviction notice that was given several weeks ago.

A school within a part of the Mau Forest

The government is waiting for schools to close in order to move in and forcefully evict those who will not have moved out.

The deputy commissioner emphasized that the deadline date given to the families with school children was fast approaching and the families should move out before then.

Security in the area has been beefed up with patrol being enhanced and barriers placed in the area to prevent any forest produce from Mau and continuous de-forestation.

The second phase of the water towers restoration was estimated to affect over 10,000 households including an alleged 8,000 school going children and over 1,000 candidates set to sit their national exams this year which led to a 60 day notice issue to the settlers.

During the first phase of the eviction in July last year, about 7,700 people were evicted from the forest land which saw over 12,000 acres of the forest reclaimed.

It was centered in Reiya group ranch while the second phase has Nkoben, Ilmotiok and Ololunga on the radar.

The others are Enokishomi, Enoosokon, Nkaroni and Sisian.

The eviction attracted political undertones with leaders from the Maa and Kalenjin communities involved in bitter exchange.

The Maa leaders wanted the evictions to go on while the Kalenjin leaders were opposed to the move and termed it illegal and inhuman.

Some families vacating a part of the Mau Forest

The Mau is the largest water tower in the country supporting millions of human life and wildlife in Kenya and beyond.

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