By Antony Gitonga and Vitalis Kimutai

Former Attorney General Charles Njonjo has criticised President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the handling of the Mau forest saga.

Njonjo warned the collapse of the water tower posed danger to the country.

He accused the leaders of engaging in politics as destruction of the forest continues. "It is time we stopped politicking and engage in tree planting for the benefit of future generations," he said.

He was speaking at Naivasha Sports Ground during the opening of the annual horticulture fair.

The fair chairman, Mr Roddy Benjamin, said they are targeting between Sh8 and Sh9 million from the event.

He said the number of exhibitors had increased to 125, with some coming from Europe.

Meanwhile, politicians and church leaders in the South Rift have demanded that the Government compensates all settlers before they are moved out.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett led five members of parliament from the region to condemn a plan to evict settlers without compensation.

Speaking separately, MPs Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu), Julius Kones (Konoin), Langat Magerer (Kipkelion), Benjamin Langat (Ainamoi) and Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi) said the plan was ill-advised.

An interim secretariat co-ordinating rehabilitation of the water tower was quoted in a section of the press on Friday as saying most settlers would leave without compensation.

A paper prepared by the secretariat indicated only 1,962 people would be compensated.

African Gospel Church Assistant Bishop Paul Leleito said in the 2005 eviction, more than 33 churches and 27 schools were torched by security officers in Narok South.

"We would not wish to see a repeat of the 2005 scenario where families were kicked out, their property torched or looted. The Government should be careful on the way it goes about the exercise this time around," Leleito said.