Ministers tell Mau settlers to stay put

• Ruto, Bett and Keter backtrack on earlier stand and trash report

Two Cabinet ministers have rejected a government pledge to compensate Mau Forest settlers.

Agriculture minister William Ruto, his Roads counterpart Franklin Bett and Energy assistant minister Charles Keter backtracked on their earlier stand that the beneficiaries be adequately compensated before leaving the forest regarded as one of the leading water catchment areas in the country.

The about-turn further complicates efforts to conserve the critical water tower destroyed through deforestation.

During the weekend meeting in Njoro District within the Mau Complex, the politicians urged the settlers to resist any attempts to evict them.

They dismissed a report prepared by a taskforce appointed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga which they accused of doing a shoddy job.

Mr Ruto, who was the chief guest during a fundraiser at Teret Secondary School in Molo constituency, said the sanctity of title deeds issued to those in the Mau water catchment area must be respected.

“We support the State’s efforts to conserve the water catchment areas in the country, but we can’t do this by plunging the lives of thousands of citizens into unwarranted suffering,” he said.

Mr Ruto exonerated the community living in the forest from blame and instead blamed cartels that were allegedly enjoying protection from the Kenya Forestry Service for the plunder of the forest.

According to the proposals by the taskforce, settlement in the forest has contributed to decline of water levels in 12 rivers threatening the survival of major lakes in the country and the livelihoods of people living downstream.

The ministers also called for the enactment of a new constitution that will seek to address land tenure in the country.

Mr Bett lamented that there were too many statutes dealing with land ownership and administration.

Other MPs who were in attendance were host Joseph Kiuna, Silas Lessonet (Eldama Ravine), Luka Kigen (Rongai), Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central), Njoro district commissioner Sammy Njoka and several Nakuru County Council councillors.