Mau families camp in the open
Roughing it out is the norm for some settlers who have taken to building makeshift dwellings on a roadside at Kapkembo, Kuresoi district on Thursday. Photo/JOSEPH KIHERI
What you need to know:
- Fears of another lot of internally displaced people as the evicted camp on the roadside
A humanitarian crisis began to unfold on Thursday as hundreds of families leaving their Mau forest homes gathered in makeshift structures by the roadside.
The families have settled in the open, in what could present the country with yet another case of displaced persons.
After the expiry of an eviction notice on Monday, they decided to vacate their homes to pave the way for May forest rehabilitation.
Armed forest guards and police officers have been deployed to the forest, buttressing the State’s resolve to evict the settlers from the country’s top water tower.
Labelled squatters
Those targeted in the first phase have been labelled squatters who illegally moved into the forest and, according to the government, not liable for compensation.
The second phase, announced by the Interim Coordinating Secretariat on the Mau Forest Complex last month targets land owners with titles, and who would be considered for compensation once they move out and surrender the deeds.
On Thursday, the families at Kapkembu, Tirgoi and Saino settlements were putting up makeshift structures as many more continued trooping out of the Mau.
The nearest camp for security officers was 200 metres from where the families were putting up makeshift shelters.
At Kapkembu Terta, where close to 60 families are camping, the settlers - most of them women and children - said they were starving as they did not carry any food to sustain them.
Some settlers from Langam, Arorgwet and Tilolwet in Kuresoi District also appealed for tents and bedding.
“We did not have any food to carry with us. We used to get our meals from our farms,” said Mr Ezekiel Kirui. “I was born here and do not have anywhere to go.”
Mr David Langat pleaded for help for his wife who had just delivered.
“I do not know where I will take my wife and child if she is kicked out of the home where she is being hosted. I do not have relatives who can take care of her,” he said.
At the same time, Kenya Forest Rangers Commandant John Kimani, who visited the group, assured them that they would be allowed to go back to their farms to harvest maize and potatoes when they are mature.
