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Pay us for damages, families
tell Government
EA STANDARD
01/08/2008
By Francis Ngige
Families evicted from Mt Kenya forest more than two decades ago
want the Government to compensate them.
The families, now living in Mathira, also want the Government to
give them alternative land alongside squatters who will be moved
from Mau forest.
Mt Kenya Squatters Association secretary James Mugo said they were
living in horrid conditions and needed urgent help.
He called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to
ensure they were paid for losses they incurred when the State
evicted them.
"We want the Government to include us in the compensation and
resettlement programme alongside those leaving Mau forest," said
Mugo. The more than 1,000 families were evicted from Hombe, Chehe
and Ragati forests area, which are part of the larger Mt Kenya
forest.
Speaking in Nyeri on Thursday, Mugo said the State had failed to
fulfil its pledge to have them settled.
He said it would be unfair for the State to compensate families in
Mau before looking into their plight.
Forceful eviction
The families were evicted from the expansive forest in 1989.
A few who made their way back were evicted in 1994 by a contingent
of forest guards and Administration Police.
They have pitched tent in informal settlements in Muoroto.
Early this month, the Government announced plans to evict families
that had encroached Mau forest.
Raila said the families would be resettled elsewhere once an audit
is complete.
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