By Kipkirui K’Telwa

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has assured Mau forest settlers that the government would not evict them without adequate compensation. Speaking in Bomet while on a tour of the South Rift, Raila urged local residents to be patient as government awaits the completion of a report on the forest by a taskforce he appointed last year to inquire into the destruction of the key water catchment area.

Local lawmakers have previously expressed disappointment with the way the taskforce was handling its work.

Noting that Mau residents are his fervent political supporters, the PM assured the locals that he would not carry out an exercise that would hurt them.

"Watu ya Mau ni watu yangu, na walinipigia kura. Mimi sio mbwa anayezaa halafu anakula watoto yake. (Mau residents are my supporters, who voted for me. And I am not a dog who gives birth and eats her puppies)", he said.

Raila told the residents that once the report is ready, the government would ensure that the eviction of the affected settlers will be carried out humanely.

Besides being compensated, the PM assured the evictees that they will also not be harassed by the State security agents as it has been in the past.

Commenting on constitution review process, he said the process was on course and that ODM will support devolution of power through majimbo system.

He also hinted that a new chairman to Interim Independent Electoral Commission will be named next week after. Past attempts by Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution to nominate lawyer Cecil Miller to chair the electoral body failed when Parliament rejected him.

Besides the roadside address in Bomet and Sotik districts, the PM, who is accompanied by ODM top brass including Deputy Prime minister Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet ministers William Ruto and Henry Kosgey finally addressed a rally in Litein town after attending a homecoming party for Roads minister Franklin Bett at Korongoi, Bureti constituency.