DP demands end to Mau destruction
What you need to know:
- Mr Ruto said it was unfortunate that the Mau had been politicised by some politicians who made it a campaign platform at election times.
- He said the Nyayo Tea Zones Authority had been directed to plant tea in the forest once the squatters had left.
Deputy President William Ruto has ordered an immediate end to destruction of the Mau Forest and promised alternative land to squatters.
Mr Ruto said it was unfortunate that the Mau had been politicised by some politicians who made it a campaign platform at election times.
“The Government will give alternative land to the remaining squatters in the Mau to completely resolve this issue,” he said, adding: “Politicians using the Mau to advance their careers should find something else. Wananchi want to see the development of roads, agriculture, education, health and not empty politicking all year round.”
The DP was speaking at Maasai Girls School in Narok Friday after a ground-breaking ceremony for a Sh1.35 billion water project financed by the Japanese Development Agency.
He said the Nyayo Tea Zones Authority had been directed to plant tea in the forest once the squatters had left.
On education, Mr Ruto reminded parents that they had a responsibility to pay fees for their children but said learners from poor families would be given bursaries from the Constituency Development Fund.
The DP criticised female genital mutilation, saying girls who underwent it were unlikely to continue with their education.
The water project is expected to boost supplies to Narok town from 1,000 to 5,000 cubic metres daily.