William ole Ntimama says no to tea fence on the Mau Forest

Former cabinet minister William ole Ntimama has opposed the establishment of tea plantations along the Mau Forest Complex edges.

Mr Ntimama, who has been out of the limelight for a while, said members of the Kipsigis community should leave Maasai Mau Forest immediately.

He said an electric fence needed to be erected around the forest to stop encroachment.

Some Narok leaders accuse Deputy President William Ruto of protecting people who have settled in the forest in order to use them as a political game-changer in the next elections.

Mr Ntimama blamed the changed climatic conditions in Narok on the destruction of the forest.

Speaking at his home on Saturday afternoon, Mr Ntimama said the changes had led to drought and scarcity of water.

The veteran politician who was accompanied by former Transport and Licensing Board boss Hassan ole Kamwaro, community elder Kelena ole Nchoe and former Narok MP Joseph ole Marima said planting of tea on the 24-kilometre boundary to deter encroachment was a ploy by the national government to grab the forest as it happened during the Kanu regime.

“We have seen tea bushes used as a buffer zone, only for the plantations to end up in private hands,” Mr Ntimama said.

Contacted, Nyayo Tea Zone Managing Director Peter Korir said trees had already been planted on five hectares of the earmarked 240 in the ‘million-trees’ project to save the forest.

He said NTZ would spend Sh1.5 billion planting tea around Mau and Embobut forests in three years.

“We began planting in Sierra Leone since there has been a lot of encroachment. We are sure that this will deter grabbing on this vital water tower,” Mr Korir said.

The leaders’ concerns came as residents cried foul following a fresh invasion of Olokurto Forest Reserve under the county government. It is part of the blocks that form the Mau Complex.

Mr Reuben Ntete, a resident, said locals called the police following a standoff between two groups when the situation almost degenerated into a brawl. One of the groups had claimed a section of the forest and begun clearing it.

MASSIVE REHABILITATION

Last year, Mr Ruto announced that settlements in the controversial forest would be cleared to pave way for “massive rehabilitation” in the next two years and tea planted around it.

According to Mr Ntimama, forests like the Aberdares had electric fences “and there was no reason why Mau shouldn’t”.

Mr Korir said apart from protecting the environment, the tea would be a source of livelihood for many.

“We have engaged over 500 people who are helping in clearing, destumping and planting the tea. These people who have been extracting timber and firewood from the forest will be hired to assist in plucking and weeding,” he added.