News
Eviction: Security forces move into Mau
Forest rangers with a cache of arms after arriving in South Western Mau where a 14-day notice for thousands of settlers to quit ended on Tuesday. Although the government has maintained that no force will be used to evict the settlers, there was palpable tension among the locals as they watched the trucks arrive. Photo/GEORGE SAYAGIE
Posted Tuesday, November 10 2009 at 22:00
They arrived aboard trucks at Chematich, Kapkembu and Saino and erected tents along the 40 kilometre border between the settlement scheme and the forest “awaiting further instructions”.
The officers, who travelled in the area aboard lorries from KWS and four-wheel drive vehicles, began arriving at midday, with the sight of the convoy sending shivers down the spines of the villagers.
Even though the government has all along maintained that no force would be used to remove the settlers out of the forest, tension was clearly evident among the locals as they watched the trucks arrive.
They came out and lined up along the Molo-Stoito-Ndoinet road to witness the arrival of the officers.
The officers had a brief stop at the Ndoinet forestry office where they were briefed by the forest officer, Mr Isaac Wafula, who then led them to Chematich, with the other group travelling to Saino was.
The officers travelled from Londiani Forestry College after a day-long briefing by government officials on Monday.
Residents who spoke to the Nation at Ndoinet put on a brave face, saying they were not ready to move out. The conservation of the Mau, which is supported by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has at times been opposed by Rift Valley MPs, who would like all settlers compensated before moving out.
On Wednesday Mr Odinga is expected to stress the need to conserve the Mau during his Question Time in Parliament. The rehabilitation of the Mau Forest, which includes evictions, compensation, planting of trees and fencing, will require Sh38 billion.
Dr Wekesa said the government would be going on a “silent begging mission” at next month’s global summit on climate in Copenhagen.
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Submitted by IowakenyanPosted November 21, 2009 03:18 PM
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Submitted by KORYEMA
I agree with njengah,start with the corrupt warmongers first because they are the ones who incite ahoi to stay put,so they can hide behind them to protect their ill gotten wealth.let 1000s acres of land owned by athomi in Mau be taken first , whether it belongs to MOI.
Posted November 11, 2009 08:41 PM -
Submitted by musyokaj
Experiences from other countries shows that this is not an issue to argue about. It is not about weakness or strength or about the poor and the rich. It is about our environment and our future. People must get out of Mau. Compensation is a secondary and diversionary issue. If you expect donors to give you money to compensate rogues, think again; even in their countries they do not do that!
Posted November 11, 2009 01:12 PM -
Submitted by njengah
Evicting the weak, the poor, and those without connections to the ruling clique does nothing to improve Mau. The largest chunks of land are owned by corrupt politicians, present and past and should have been the first to go. When you start with the rich and powerful, you send a clear message that no one is immune. What they are doing now is blowing up the nose instead of treating the flu!
Posted November 11, 2009 11:28 AM -
Submitted by MichaOlga
Dear God, I hope they don't start shooting out of frustration. Poor people who have nowhere else to go might give the security guys a really hard time.
Posted November 11, 2009 11:18 AM
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I truly pray to God to show justice in this Mau forest eviction situation.