An eviction notice has
been issued to more than 300 families who have encroached on the Eastern Mau
Forest block. ALSO READ: Ruto breaks silence on Mau evictions Residents of Molo
and Njoro constituencies have expressed concern that the second phase of the
Mau Forest evictions would affect most of them as large chunks of the land they
occupy were degazetted from the forest to set up settlement schemes in the late
1990s. Speaking at a meeting attended by residents living along the forest
cutline yesterday, Nakuru County Ecosystem Conservator George Njenga said only
those living beyond the 1996 cutline would be affected. “We have over 3,000
families living in various settlement schemes hived off from the Mau Forest.
Out of these, around 300 families are living and farming past the cutline and
will be targeted in the coming evictions,” said Mr Njenga. In Molo constituency,
the evictions will affect those who encroached on Kiptunga, Kapsita, Baraget,
Vikingi Tatu and Kenya Mpya forests while in Njoro the areas targeted include
Neissuit, Tachasis, Likia and Saino Teret forests. Although the conservator did
not give actual dates for the evictions, he urged those who have encroached on
the forest to leave in peace. Avoid fake news! Subscribe to the Standard SMS
service and receive factual, verified breaking news as it happens. Text the
word ‘NEWS’ to 22840 “The cutline between the forest and the settlement schemes
is clear. Those who are beyond the boundary should not wait to be given another
notice to leave. They should respectfully vacate. It is not the Government’s
wish to use force in the exercise,” he said. He noted that the areas had been
marked for the evictions in the second phase and that the officials were
awaiting for directions from the concerned ministries. Molo Deputy County
Commissioner David Wanyonyi said no one would be spared regardless of their
influence, adding that force would be used only where necessary. ALSO READ:
County executive sent home The Ogiek, who majorly live in Neissuit and
Marioshoni, however, warned the Government against evicting them, citing a case
they won at the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha. The court
declared the Ogiek indigenous forest dwellers. Nominated Senator Victor Prengei
said the community supported the ongoing crackdown on illegal settlers in the
forest, but warned that there was growing concern that the Ogiek might be
evicted in the second phase. The Government is targeting 40,000 people in the
second phase of the Mau evictions. Mr Prengei said the stakeholders
spearheading the evictions should consider the interests of the Ogiek as ruled
by the court on May 2017 as forest-dwelling communities and among the most
marginalised indigenous people in Kenya. “You do not expect most of them to
have title deeds because they originally lived in the forest and the Government
should consider this even as the second phase of the evictions loom. Already
there is a lot of tension in these areas,” said Prengei. Former area member of
Parliament Jacob Macharia criticised leaders he said had issued a misleading
statement that was interpreted to mean that all the 3,000 residents would be
evicted. “This caused unnecessary panic and only gazetted government officials
should communicate anything on this emotive issue,” said Mr Macharia. ALSO
READ: Police assaults wife over alcohol Ministry of Lands Principal Secretary
Nicholas Muraguri and National Land Commissioner Clement ole Nashuru said the
titles being issued excluded land touching Mau forest.
been issued to more than 300 families who have encroached on the Eastern Mau
Forest block. ALSO READ: Ruto breaks silence on Mau evictions Residents of Molo
and Njoro constituencies have expressed concern that the second phase of the
Mau Forest evictions would affect most of them as large chunks of the land they
occupy were degazetted from the forest to set up settlement schemes in the late
1990s. Speaking at a meeting attended by residents living along the forest
cutline yesterday, Nakuru County Ecosystem Conservator George Njenga said only
those living beyond the 1996 cutline would be affected. “We have over 3,000
families living in various settlement schemes hived off from the Mau Forest.
Out of these, around 300 families are living and farming past the cutline and
will be targeted in the coming evictions,” said Mr Njenga. In Molo constituency,
the evictions will affect those who encroached on Kiptunga, Kapsita, Baraget,
Vikingi Tatu and Kenya Mpya forests while in Njoro the areas targeted include
Neissuit, Tachasis, Likia and Saino Teret forests. Although the conservator did
not give actual dates for the evictions, he urged those who have encroached on
the forest to leave in peace. Avoid fake news! Subscribe to the Standard SMS
service and receive factual, verified breaking news as it happens. Text the
word ‘NEWS’ to 22840 “The cutline between the forest and the settlement schemes
is clear. Those who are beyond the boundary should not wait to be given another
notice to leave. They should respectfully vacate. It is not the Government’s
wish to use force in the exercise,” he said. He noted that the areas had been
marked for the evictions in the second phase and that the officials were
awaiting for directions from the concerned ministries. Molo Deputy County
Commissioner David Wanyonyi said no one would be spared regardless of their
influence, adding that force would be used only where necessary. ALSO READ:
County executive sent home The Ogiek, who majorly live in Neissuit and
Marioshoni, however, warned the Government against evicting them, citing a case
they won at the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha. The court
declared the Ogiek indigenous forest dwellers. Nominated Senator Victor Prengei
said the community supported the ongoing crackdown on illegal settlers in the
forest, but warned that there was growing concern that the Ogiek might be
evicted in the second phase. The Government is targeting 40,000 people in the
second phase of the Mau evictions. Mr Prengei said the stakeholders
spearheading the evictions should consider the interests of the Ogiek as ruled
by the court on May 2017 as forest-dwelling communities and among the most
marginalised indigenous people in Kenya. “You do not expect most of them to
have title deeds because they originally lived in the forest and the Government
should consider this even as the second phase of the evictions loom. Already
there is a lot of tension in these areas,” said Prengei. Former area member of
Parliament Jacob Macharia criticised leaders he said had issued a misleading
statement that was interpreted to mean that all the 3,000 residents would be
evicted. “This caused unnecessary panic and only gazetted government officials
should communicate anything on this emotive issue,” said Mr Macharia. ALSO
READ: Police assaults wife over alcohol Ministry of Lands Principal Secretary
Nicholas Muraguri and National Land Commissioner Clement ole Nashuru said the
titles being issued excluded land touching Mau forest.