2,000 troop out of Mau Forest as government begin reclaiming 17,000 acres of forestland

More than 2,200 households have moved out of Mau Forest since the eviction process started early this month, the Government has said.

Yesterday, acting Narok County Commissioner Mutuku Mwenda said the remaining 8,800 had 43 days to vacate the forest.

The Government had targeted 10,000 households for eviction. Mr Mwenda said all those who had moved out of the forest and still needed to access it to get more of their household items should register with chiefs.

He said the chiefs would give them police escort as they return to the forest.

He directed those who had left the forest to record statements with police so that records of their departure could be kept.

Buying land

Mr Mwenda said some of the people who had been duped into buying land by unscrupulous dealers had surrendered the documents to authorities for investigation.

“So far we have 17 people surrendering their land ownership documents, including title deeds and sale agreements,” Mwenda said.

He added that police officers had been deployed to stop all agricultural activities and felling of trees in the forest.

The administrator said politicians inciting residents not to move out of the forest would be barred from addressing rallies near Mau.

Meanwhile, a group of women leaders in Narok County has supported the Mau evictions.

The women, led by nominated MCA Christine Lemein, noted that conservation matters should take top priority. They said all those in Mau should move out regardless of their ethnicity.

Ms Lemein said women in Narok should be in the fore front in pushing for the evictions. “We want those who have encroached on forestland to move out,” said Ms Lemein.