Eldama Ravine locals oppose school project

A section of Eldama Ravine residents and environmentalists have opposed a move by area MP Moses Lessonet to alienate more than 100 acres of Narasha Forest for construction of a school.

Led by Lembus Council of Elders, the locals threatened to move to the High Court to block the move as they accused the lawmaker of using his political influence to excise the land.

More than 200 residents protested against the proposed project on Sunday, which they said was a ploy to grab forest land.

The council of elders' Chairman Joseph Leboo said Kenya Forest Service (KFS) had asked the MP to organise a consultative forum to deliberate on the matter, but the legislator allegedly changed the venue of the meeting at the last minute.

Changed venue

The consultative meeting was supposed to take place at Farmers Training College in Eldama Ravine on Monday, but was instead held at Poror Elders Cultural Centre where a decision was reportedly reached to go ahead with the project.

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Mr Lessonet, who was flanked by his supporters, said KFS had agreed to allocate the school an initial 30 acres of land as more space is sought.

"We are only waiting for approval from KFS. This is unstoppable," Lessonet told The Standard yesterday.

The residents have also demanded to know why the Government allocated Sh30 million for the project when it knew fully well that that the local community had not sanctioned it.

"The elders are not interested in politics. The MP must tell the community why has he trained his sights on Narasha block when there is public land that is lying idle," questioned Leboo. Conservationist also says the environmental repercussions that would result from the project school would outweigh the benefits.