Monday, December 27, 2010

MP wants Mau settlers evicted next month

Related StoriesBy Kipchumba Kemei
A section of Narok County leaders want the government to clear the 146, 800 hectare Maasai Mau forest of settlers next month.
"It will be our new year gift if the forest is going to be cleared of settlements next month. We are tired of waiting," said the Narok South MP Nkoidila Lankaas.
Lankas who was flanked by 22 councilors said on Monday the government was to blame for the continued destruction of the forest because it had not shown seriousness in securing it.
The leaders wondered why it has taken long for the forest to be secured and rehabilitated and urged the Prime Minister Raila Odinga to remove the settlers whom they claim were responsible for its destruction.
"The Prime Minister should renew his efforts to save this important water catchment area that is also important to the country’s economy. Kenyans are wondering if people who have settled in it are important than the country’s interest," they added.
They spoke as the verification exercise of title deeds and other related land sale agreement of the forest land which started last month continued in Narok South.
Demarcation of the forest boundaries in the region was completed before the verification started, the area DC Chimwaga Mongo said.
After the exercise, a source at the Mau Forest Secretariat said genuine forestland claimants would be compensated.
"The exercise, which is supposed to be completed next month, would pave way for compensation which will then lead to the forest rehabilitation," said the source that declined to be named because it was only the chairman Hassan Noor who is authorised to speak to the press.
In Narok North side of the expansive forest, surveying and demarcation of boundaries was stopped in October after it was politicised.
The area politicians reportedly wanted a certain community to remain in the forest and another evicted.
"When the process was still going on, politicians interfered with it because they knew their people who were in the forest will be affected," said a source that also requested anonymity.
He said at a meeting in Nairobi with the Forest Secretariat team, members of a community led by a senior area politician wanted their people to remain in the forest and another group removed.
The area DC Geoffrey Kigochi confirmed to The Standard that the exercise was suspended and would continue after the Government issues another directive.

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