Dispute has been a tall order for Raila

The Mau Forest Complex dispute has been a headache to Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s leadership in the one year of the Grand Coalition Government.

As the coordinator and supervisor of government business, Mr Odinga initiated efforts to conserve the forest whose destruction is a threat to survival of 12 rivers and wildlife at Maasai Mara National Park.

The forest destruction has also affected the operations at multi-billion shillings Sondu Miriu hydro-power plant, agriculture and livelihoods of millions of people in East Africa.

Mr Odinga first called for resettlement of thousands of people who had encroached on Mau, which is one of the five biggest water towers in the country, in early 2008.

His move, however drew the wrath of leaders from the South Rift – a region that voted for him almost to a man in 2007 General Election.

No eviction

The leaders, led by Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto and Koinoin MP Julius Kones, accused Mr Odinga of betrayal saying people living in the forest acquired the land legally and that they should not be removed.

Mr Odinga’s move drew support from other Rift Valley leaders from the Maasai community led by Heritage minister William ole Ntimama, who said the livelihood of pastoralist communities was endangered by extinction of Mau.

The differences between the South Rift leaders mainly from the Kipsigis community and the Maasais degenerated during an inter-ministerial meeting called to find better ways of conserving the forest.

Mr Ntimama exchanged bitter words with his Rift Valley colleagues led by Agriculture minister William Ruto. Since then, the Mau issue has been a thorn in the flesh in Mr Odinga’s leadership as he struggled to balance between the national good and embracing people who supported him in the last election.

Mr Odinga has been at pains to explain to the South Rift people the economic and environmental importance of conserving Mau at all costs.