Forest evictions to pave way for tree planting

• Minister hints that squatters could be given money or land after leaving

Squatters who have settled illegally in the five water towers in the country will be evicted, the government said on Sunday.

After the evictions, the government will start rehabilitating the degraded forests, said Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa.

The destruction of Mt Kenya, Mt Elgon, the Aberdares, Cherangany and Mau forests, he said, had led to reduction of water in rivers and lakes and a shortage of rainfall, leading to food shortages.

Speaking during a tree planting event at Kwanza Girls Secondary School, the minister hinted that the government was looking for alternative land to settle some squatters from Mau forest, while others will be given money before they are evicted.

“The evictions will not target any community, and I ask leaders to support the government to protect the few remaining forests,” the Kwanza MP said.

Speaking during the function, British high commissioner Rob Macaire expressed concern over the destruction of forests and asked Kenyans to set aside portions of their land for planting trees. He said this would stop soil erosion and attract rainfall.

As they spoke, the taskforce mandated to advise the government on the controversial issue of settlement in Embobut forest in Marakwet East district yesterday completed its work and recommended temporary measures for the more than 15,000 squatters awaiting government decision.

Key among the recommendations, is recruitment of 20 community scouts to join government forces, to make the eviction a community affair. The committee also recommended that squatters said to be legal settlers stay in the natural clearings, or glades, in the forest, as they await a government decision.

Embobut forest, covering 21,933.9 hectares, is a water catchment for Lake Victoria basin, parts of Turkana and Baringo districts.

The  taskforce will present its findings and recommendations to the minister later this week.