Raila promises Mau evictees alternative land

By Philip Ruto

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has assured Mau Forest evictees with genuine title deeds, they would get alternative land.

On Monday, the Prime Minister met representatives of the squatters and promised them Government help.

He also assured those with legal documents of land allocation and may have been kicked out would be compensated.

A source privy to the meeting between the PM and the elders said Raila disclosed the Government was finalising the purchase of the land.

The evicted settlers have been living in makeshift shelters along the edge of the South Western Mau Forest.

Director of Communications in the office of the Prime Minister Dennis Onyango confirmed the meeting on Mau Forest conservation.

"The meeting took place and the PM is looking into their grievances since issues were raised," said Mr Onyango.

The source said Raila told the 14 member delegation led by Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat, some donors had pledged support to the evictees.

"The elders drawn from Kiptororo, Terta and Chematich showed the PM legal documents. They also pleaded with him to be given more time to harvest their crops," the source added.

The PM is said to have promised to give instructions that the evictees be given time to tend their crops until they harvest and also graze their cattle within the forestland.

He reportedly told them as they harvest their crops, the Government would be sub-dividing the identified land for them.

Promised solution

The meeting comes barely four days after Mr Magerer visited some of the evictees in Kuresoi District and distributed maize and other food.

Magerer, who is an ally of the PM, had promised the squatters a solution should be found.

Rift Valley MPs led by Agriculture Minister William Ruto have locked horns with Raila over the Mau evictions in a political duel.

And Raila’s allies have hit back challenging ministers Franklin Bett and Ruto to quit.

Mr Bett has since distanced himself from the political wars between Ruto and Raila, saying he was only touched by evictees plight.