Moi muddies the waters for Raila in Mau Complex

The planned eviction of settlers from Mau Forest received crucial political support this week after Kenya's President Kibaki urged Prime Minister Raila Odinga to move fast and clear government forests of all human habitation.

This was the second time in as many weeks that the President — officiating at the launch of the Prime Minister’s office’s strategic plan — was making his position on the Mau saga publicly known.

Last week, while opening the Mombasa International Show, he warned that people living in government forests would be arrested if they did not move out.

Removing settlers from the key water catchment area is widely believed to be important in conserving the country’s water towers.

However, it has tended to evoke political emotions with MPs from parts of Rift Valley Province resisting the plan fiercely.

Until recently, the President has been seen as playing it safe, letting Mr Odinga to feel the heat from his political allies-turned-critics.

The prime minister has said that he will next week release a programme for the evictions.

But the entry last week of retired President Daniel arap Moi in the controversial debate presents a fresh challenge to the government and its efforts.

The settlers and local leaders are apparently in a defiant mood after the retired president expressed his sentiments against the planned evictions. A section of the settlers who talked to the Sunday Nation vowed to stay put unless they are compensated.

“We have title deeds. Let the government come here and pay us (before we move),” said Mr John Samoei of Kalyasoi near Sierra Leone.

The area bore the brunt of similar evictions in 2005.

Mr Kipteigok Chumo, spokesman for the 2005 evictees, said people would only move out if they were compensated.

“Let them arrest the government officials who issued title deeds first, then the people who sold land to unsuspecting farmers, and then lastly the squatters,” he said.

Mr Chumo, who led the banana campaign in the area during the 2005 referendum, claimed he was with the President when he (the President) gave out 12,000 title deeds at Olenguruone in Kuresoi.

“In that case who will be arrested?” he asked.