Mau settlers anxious over impending eviction

Whereas Mariashoni was initially earmarked for the settlement of the Ogiek Community, this intention was not met and vast tracks of land ended up being given to some 300 beneficiaries – mostly prominent individuals and companies.

Mariashoni is listed as one of the most critical water catchment areas within the Mau Complex, and is source of Molo, Mau, Nyongores and Baraget rivers.

Likia on the other hand was not meant for any settlement but was nonetheless invaded and shared out. However, glaring inconsistencies in the land register and the green renders determination of the exact number of beneficiaries almost impossible.

In South Western Mau, Saino settlement has 2,667 parcels; Korao (1,231); Ndoinet (1,521); Tinet-Kabongoi (2,202); Tinet-Sotiki(3,385) and Kiptagich Extension B (429).

All these irregularities sprung from the 2001 forest excision when on October 19, 2001 the government excised 61,586 hectares of forest in the seven blocks of the Mau Forest complex that also include Molo, Mount Londiani, Nabkoi, Northern Tinderet and Western Mau. Out of the 27,523 parcels created then in these blocks, only 18,649 are titled.