Panic as squatters leave the Mau for fear of eviction

A section of Mau Forest. More than 200 families that were squatting on land in the Olpusimoru block of the water tower started leaving on April 27, 2015 for fear of eviction. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • On Monday, the illegal settlers were seen carrying their household items as they drove their livestock out of the forest.

  • They left the water tower in panic after eight of their neighbours were arrested four days ago.

  • The affected families had erected villages in the middle of Olpusimoru block and named them Ararwet, Kass FM, Tenkek and Kosia.

  • They accused Kenya Forest Service of planning to evict them yet their case against the move is yet to be determined.

Squatters have started trooping out of the Olpusimoru block of Mau Forest after the government set up police camps in readiness for a fresh round of evictions.

According to security sources, the government has deployed 70 officers to stop further encroachment on the water tower that is under threat.

On Monday, the illegal settlers were seen carrying their household items as they drove their livestock out of the forest.

Mr Sammy Nkosilai, 45, said they had opted to move out voluntarily after they were given a 24-hour notice by Narok County Commissioner Arthur Osiya.

FEAR OF DEATH

“We have opted to move out, but we do not know where we are going. We fear that the enforcement officers will destroy our property and even kill us,” he told Nation.co.ke.

He said they left the water tower in panic after eight of their neighbours were arrested four days ago.

“Anxiety is high here. Many families are fleeing to the nearby settlement schemes and trading centres fearing for their lives and property,” said Mr William Cheruyiot, a squatter.

Mr Bernard Sang, a father of four, said they were surprised by the notice that they were given by the Kenya Forest Service officers because there is a case in court that is yet to be determined.

The affected families had erected villages in the middle of the Olpusimoru block and named them Ararwet, Kass FM, Tenkek and Kosia.

3,000 ACRES DESTROYED

They claimed to have bought the land at Sh50,000 an acre.

Settlers in Kataret, Mosop, Embwen, Kipchoge, Olapa, Kipkururian and other parts of a Mau section called Sierra Leone have also been affected.

Tension ran high last week when Mr Osiya led a team of government officials to fly over the Mau and warned residents against encroaching on forest land.

However, Mr Osiya said the government had not flushed out any family.

“About 3,000 acres of Olposimoru Forest has been destroyed by encroachers, who have been tilling, logging and burning charcoal in the forest. We have explained to them the need to conserve the forest and they have volunteered to move out,” he said.