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Kenya: Moi Asked to Broker Peace
in Kuresoi
The Nation (Nairobi)
21 December 2007
Michael Njuguna
Nairobi
The Ogiek have asked former President Moi to help broker peace in
Kuresoi and resolve land-related problems across the country.
Ogiek Welfare Council coordinator Joseph Kimaiyo said Mr Moi was
peace mediator in the Sudan conflict and understood local problems.
An estimated 26 people have been killed and more than 300 houses
burnt in Kuresoi since October 19.
"The former President understands the scenario on the ground
better and can help resolve land and political issues that are to
blame for the conflicts." Mr Kimaiyo said.
He noted that when Tinet, Ndoinet and Saino settlements in Kuresoi
were created in the Western Mau Forest, about 11,578 landless
people were settled, leaving out about 4,000 others, mainly from
Bomet and Kericho districts.
More than 870 families working in tea estates also demand land.
Excision of Mau East Forest Complex led to the creation of Sururu,
Likia, Tinet and Nessuit settlements.
Uprooted families
The bloody conflict in Likia settlement last year led to the
repossession of a section by the Forestry Department and the
acquisition of another farm in Molo to create room for uprooted
families.
According to the council, the bulk of the families that were
ejected from Kuresoi recently were from the former group but a
large number of squatters had also arrived in the area after the
excision.
Mr Kimaiyo said that the Ogiek were marginalised and had abandoned
settlements such as Sururu.
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