Fresh round of Mau evictions set to start

Preparations for the third phase of Mau Forest evictions are in top gear. Among those targeted are owners of huge tracts of land, many of whom have title deeds.

The Interim Coordinating Secretariat, which is headed by Mr Noor Hassan Noor, did not, however, say when the evictions would begin.

The third round follows last year’s repossession of about 21,000 hectares during Phases I and II that involved South Western Mau and Eastern Mau Forest reserves.

Mr Noor said in a statement that Phase III would be spearheaded by the ministries of Lands, Local Government and Forestry and Wildlife.

Other line ministries and agencies, that will assist in the exercise include Office of the President, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Kenya Forest Service and Narok County Council.

It targets people in Maasai Mau trust land forest who have title deeds. The Maasai Mau is an indigenous trust land forest, covering 45,800 hectares, and managed by Narok County Council.

Retired President Moi is among those who might be affected. He says he was given 1,000 hectares by Narok County Council. Kiptagich tea factory is located on that land.

Mr Moi says he owns 25 per cent of the factory while the rest belongs to the public. Forestry minister Noah Wekesa has asked Mr Moi to vacate the land.

In the last decade, 43 per cent of the Maasai Mau trust land forest was allocated to individuals and companies leading to massive depletion of the forest, the main source of Kenya’s water from wher 12 rivers originate.

In the western part of Maasai Mau – often referred to as Sierra Leone – more title deeds were issued beyond the demarcated land.

“This ‘ballooning’ of the group ranches led to massive encroachment into the Maasai Mau trust land forest, by at least 17,101 hectares,” the ICS said.

On Thursday, the ICS said it has surveyed and marked boundaries in readiness for the next phase of the conservation.

A committee of legal experts has been engaged to determine those to be compensated after people are removed from the 400,00ha Mau Complex.

Mr Noor said the government was in the process of re-gazetting two of the areas as the third one has been traditionally inhabited by Ogiek .