MP seeks Raila report on Mau

The debate over the restoration of the Mau Forest is set to find its way back to Parliament after Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto asked for a statement from Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the matter.

The evictions started officially this week but squatters have been moving out of the South Western Mau since the expiry of a notice for them to move out early last week.

Mr Ruto was among MPs who over the weekend singled out the Prime Minister for criticism due to the government’s poor handling of the process to remove people from the forest.

“When we passed the Mau Task Force report before we went on the break, we said human rights would be addressed. Why, now, are people being asked to move to nowhere?” asked the MP, who is one of the PM’s fiercest critics.

MPs from the Rift Valley lobbied their colleagues to include in the task force’s report recommendations a clause that would make it compulsory for the government to follow the law in restoring the forest.

This meant that land owners who have title deeds would be entitled to compensation or the provision of alternative land.

Mr Ruto asked the PM, who was not in the House at the time, to also explain the delay in providing humanitarian assistance to the squatters, who have for the past week been camping on road sides and open fields.

Mr Odinga will also be expected to tell MPs whether there is alternative land that has been identified to settle those who are leaving the forest.

The evictions officially began this week and although there have been no reports of violence, the presence of armed officers has ensured the squatters comply with the eviction notice.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said the question would be answered on Wednesday next week but Ruto objected, saying the matter was urgent and could be handled during the PM’s question time.

Speaker Kenneth Marende said Mr Odinga would be required to answer the question next week but would be at liberty to answer it Wednesday if he is able to.

The PM has been at the forefront of efforts to rehabilitate the 400,000-acre forest, which has been systematically destroyed over the years.

The restoration, which would entail the removal of settlers, has also proved to be his biggest political headache as it has elicited defiance from the Kalenjin MPs, who marshaled their community to vote for him in the last General Election.