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Get out of Mau Forest or we
evict you, squatters told
EA STANDARD
16. July 2008
By Isaac Ongiri
All squatters in Mau forest must move out by October 30 or be
evicted.
This was decided during a day-long consultation between Prime
Minister Raila Odinga, 10 Cabinet ministers, 15 MPs and 200
representatives of various groups from the Mau Complex at the KICC.
Raila said the Government would re-demarcate the boundaries of the
over 400,000-acre forest and fence it to stop further degradation.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and
Environment Minister John Michuki at the KICC on Tuesday.
Photo: Njue Murimi/Standard |
“We shall re-demarcate the
forest boundaries, fence off the forest and also put in
place effective long-term management plan to save the Mau,”
said Raila.
He, however, said a special task force comprising 10
associate ministries has been put in place to handle Mau
Forest issues.
The consultative forum, however, resolved that settlers with
genuine title deeds would be offered alternative settlements
or adequate compensation in the process.
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet ministers Mr
John Michuki, Dr Noah Wekesa, Mr William Ruto, Mr William
ole Ntimama, Dr Naomi Shaaban, Mr James Orengo, Mr Kiraitu
Murungi and Mr Fred Gumo were present at the consultative
forum.
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Raila said that the Government was
keen on the restoration of the Mau Complex Forest, saying that the
ongoing encroachment was a threat to livelihoods in the region.
He said that Mara River, Lake Victoria, Lake Nakuru and River Nile
were key dependants on the forest for survival.
The Prime Minister said it was important for the Government to
take appropriate action to handle the situation, which
environmentalists have warned could degenerate into a disaster for
the dependant nations.
He announced that this time the evictions would be given a human
face to ensure the fundamental rights of the affected individuals
are not violated.
But the move drew immediate criticism from Chepalungu MP Isaac
Ruto who rejected the proposals moments after Wildlife PS Kombo
Mwero announced the resolutions
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