State issues one week quit notice to forest ‘invaders’

Efforts to restore the Mau Complex were intensified on Friday when a one-week quit notice was issued to those who have encroached on the Maasai Mau Forest.

The notice, according to Narok South DC Chimwaga Mongo, has been given to fresh encroachers who had gone deeper into the forest in the last one month.

Panicky residents of Nkoben, Kalyasoi and Chepalungu sections of the 46,278-hectare forest said they had received notices from their chiefs.

Some 15,000 people are settled on the forest, which is a trust land of the Narok County Council. Past evictions in the area have been acrimonious.

“We were going on with our work in the farms when the chief appeared and told us to prepare to quit by 14th October,” said Mr Richard Sigilai from Nkoben area.

He added that the notice came when their crops were ready for harvesting, making the situation complicated for them.

Mr Mongo said the notice was given after it was discovered many people had settled in the forest in the last one month.

“Some invaders crossed River Ewaso Ng’iro into virgin sections of the forest and began felling trees and burning charcoal,” the DC said.

Mr Mongo added that he and his Narok North counterpart Godfrey Kigochi met with the settlers and warned them before issuing the notice.