Ruto urges Mau settlers to ignore government’s eviction notice

BOMET, KENYA: Bomet Governor has told Mau settlers to stay put and ignore directive by Deputy President William Ruto that they should be prepared to move out of their settlements in the expansive forest.

Speaking at Emorijoi Africa Gospel Church in Narok County, Governor Ruto asked the people of Mau not to be cowed by DP Ruto's recent remarks that they should be prepared to move out.

Ruto, who is the Council of Governor's Chair, demanded that Jubilee administration must honour its pre-election promise that people will not be inhumanly evicted just as it happened in 2005 and compensate the settlers.

Ruto, who was accompanied by Narok Governor Samuel Tunai, deputy Governor Evelyn Aruasa, MCAs Kuyo Ole Kijabe and Monica Mebet, said the national government should involve governors in the search for a lasting solution to the Mau issue.

"The government should not harass families in Mau but instead should find ways of compensating them. These are families that acquired their land legally and the constitution protects them like other property owners," said Ruto.

"At the height of eviction in 2005 President Uhuru, William Ruto and I led a group of other leaders in touring the region and we assured them that if we ascend to power we shall ensure sanctity of their title deeds is respected," he added.

Ruto said the Jubilee administration must abide by the promise it made.