Keep politics out of Mau forest evictions

Squatters, internally disp-laced people and vulne-rable minority groups in need of the Government’s assistance must not be turned into pawns in political games. This is what seems to be happening in the South Eastern Mau, complicating what should have been a straight-forward evacuation, and in other parts of the nation (see second editorial). The result is an unseemly series of divisions, with Cabinet ministers and other politicians purporting to champion the rights of some oppressed minority or other grouping.

It is unclear precisely what is going on in the Mau. On the one hand, there is the forest recovery programme’s enforcement team, led by the Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner, acting surprised that people asked to leave in the next two weeks were not registered or tallied in any way. This, they say, is an oversight by the secretariat they report to, headed by Mr Hassan Noor Hassan, a former Rift Valley PC. On the other hand, as none of the people leaving is eligible for compensation, this may have been deemed unnecessary. There should, however, have been a basic count or estimate to be used for provision of humanitarian assistance.

The question of just how much of the suffering is real and how much is staged is vexing. Politicians from the area with personal or political reasons to oppose evictions planned for other parts of the Mau are trying to win a war for hearts and minds. Therefore, the ‘spontaneous’ evacuation of the forest and creation of a tearful photo-opportunity attended by area leaders is suspect.

Humane approach

We have repeatedly called for a humane approach to the evictions and will continue to do so. Of the Government, we expect no less than an adherence to international standards for treatment of displaced persons. That said, it is unconscionable for politicians to use this crisis as reason to encourage others facing evacuation to resist. This is not going to change the legal circumstances of those who acquired land in the forest irregularly or illegally. It will only ensure the Government uses compelling force, in the process risking a recurrence of the arsons and assaults committed by forest guards in 2005.

While this may have political value to some, it does nothing to help the lives of those who will be at the heart of it. Where they were to merely be forced off the land, many would now have their few earthly possessions destroyed. A number may end up losing title deeds, as happened in 2005, ending the possibility they may prove they obtained them in good faith and, thus, are eligible for allocation of alternative land or compensation by the Government.

There is no doubt though that many of the people involved are in dire straits. The possession of a parcel of land, even if tenuous or without legal backing, is the only access to capital for most. Losing it, as well as the harvest on it, will reduce many to destitution. Thus, it is imperative they get help from the Government and organisations like the Kenya Red Cross Society. Local leaders outraged at the suffering of the former settlers would do well to hold their criticism, and instead offer ideas on how to make the removal of forest-dwellers less traumatic for all. Because, whatever happens, this and other water towers must be recovered.

Government’s response to the crisis should not degenerate into incoherence. The two-week eviction process needs to have some semblance of order and evidence of planning. There also needs to be better communication or misinformation and propaganda will take root. This is already evident with reports of part-time evictees who show up for the media.

Corruption and anger

The taskforce on the Mau proposed a comprehensive approa-ch which an interim co-ordinating secretariat at the PM’s office is using to plan the execution of short-term measures. As the team moves from this bit of the Mau to the areas where the questions of ownership are more complicated, planning will be vital. No one wants a situation where people are tossed off land without proper records and then Government faces an avalanche of claims for compensation. Chaos will invite corruption and more anger.

 

 

Read all about: Resettlement Hassan Noor Hassan

 

 

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