Fresh storm breaks out over Mau eviction

By Martin Mutua

For weeks, politics of The Hague option and proposed special division of High Court have dominated the political scene and split the Cabinet.

But even before President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who begin a three-day tour of Nyanza Province today, squeeze consensus from a fractured Grand Coalition Cabinet, Mau Forest politics exploded.

On Thursday, Cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament fought over resettlement efforts, even as Kibaki received a report warning of declining water resources.

Eighteen Rift Valley MPs led by Cabinet ministers William Ruto, Franklin Bett and Hellen Sambili told off Environment Minister John Michuki over his order for eviction of Mau Forest settlers. The legislators said everybody who owns land in Mau Forest Complex would be compensated before moving out and that nobody would be evicted.

The fresh storm began with PM’s meeting with 22 Rift Valley MPs, who are for relocation if complemented with compensation, on Monday at which it was reported a deal was struck: Raila would look for Sh38 billion to fund the relocation.

Sources revealed, and which the Rift MPs confirmed on Thursday, a deal on payment of all settlers in Mau, regardless of how they acquired the land was struck.

Then on Wednesday Michuki launched National Climate Change Strategy during which he ordered Kenya Forest Services to start evicting squatters from the Mau Forest, saying it was a matter of urgency.

"I know people who deserve compensation are 1,962 families. Anyone else does not deserve even a single shilling," said Michuki, contradicting Raila, who had suggested those with title deeds would be compensated.

Raila, while sounding a national alarm on looming food and water crisis on the same day, said: "I appeal to MPs to help us in the war against environmental degradation. Leaders must lead from the front. It is important certain forests are protected."

Walking in Michuki’s footsteps, Forest Minister Noah Wekesa ruled out blanket compensation in the Mau Forest Complex, saying there would be vetting to establish how they got settled in the forest and to weed out opportunists, who he vowed, would not be compensated.

This week, too, Cabinet minister William Ntimama blamed Raila for the delay in evicting the settlers even after receiving a report of the task force recommending their removal.

He hit out at colleagues in ODM opposed to the ejection, cautioning the issue would get out of hand if they do not agree to have the squatters ejected.

Occupation outlawed

Speaking separately in office on Thursday, Ruto said: "It is against the rules of natural justice to evict people from their settlements even if they were squatters."

In a related development, the President assented to the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, among other new laws, which effectively outlaws occupation of water towers such as the Mau Forest.

The Act in part stipulates: "No person shall, without the prior written approval of the Director-General, given after an environmental assessment, erect, reconstruct, place, alter, extend, remove or demolish any structure or part of any structure in, or in the river, lake or wetland."

Rift MPs said they met Raila on Monday and broached compensation for those on the forest.

"The Prime Minister agreed to look for Sh38 billion from donors, including the World Bank, so that the people in the Mau can be relocated and Michuki was not part of this meeting," said Kipkelion MP, Julius Magerer, who read the joint statement.

The MPs said they had agreed on a timeline of two years for movement of people from the Mau, depending on how fast the Government gets money to compensate them.

"We are for conservation of the Mau and we want peaceful movement of our people and not eviction. Michuki should know that the Mau issue is not like the Mungiki (purge) and therefore must be handled differently," added Energy Assistant Minister Charles Keter.

Ruto said the Mau must be conserved to restore the forest cover, protect water catchment areas, and ensure a steady flow of rivers emanating from the forest.

He said while illegal loggers and charcoal burners must be evicted, those who bought land or were allocated chunks in the Mau legally must be compensated. Bett disclosed that all 18 Rift MPs had resolved to contribute Sh200, 000 from their CDF kitties to assist in the initial resettlement of their people as a sign of commitment.

School children

Bett said before Michuki attempts to lecture them on the Mau he should instead go to his Kangema backyard and sort out land degradation problem. "Let Michuki not talk at us as if we are primary school children. We are not boys and we are as concerned about the forest as other people that is why we want dialogue to arrive at an amicable solution," he added.

Keter described as "alarming and worrying" remarks attributed to Michuki.

"Nobody discussed that others would be compensated while others would not. We discussed compensation in totality," he added.

The MPs told Michuki to respect the PM since he had given them the Government’s commitment to dialogue as opposed to evictions.

Magerer explained their meeting also resolved to have joint tree planting in the affected areas using the Kazi kwa Vijana initiative, as well as marking of boundaries.

They pointed out they also proposed establishment of water supply projects and dams to adjacent residents to avoid the forest being invaded by herdsmen and thirsty families.

The MPs said they proposed the Government should give the settlers alternative land and use the National Youth Service and Kenya Army to ensure humane and orderly relocation.

Magerer said they also resolved a standing committee be appointed consisting of three experts, four community representatives and two Government officials from the Public Service.