Government drops plan to resettle IDPs in Mau Narok

By Cyrus Ombati and Vincent MabatukThe government has shelved plan to resettle 8,000 IDPs in Mau Narok and has appealed for new land offers from public.
According to Internal security Minister, George Saitoti, the disputed land will now be used for agricultural research.
This action comes after members of the Maasai community opposed to the re-settlement of the IDPS at Mau Narok called on the Government to suspend activities in the farm to await the outcome of a 20- man committee set up to resolve the stalemate.
Speaking to The Standard on phone, US based lecturer prof Maitemei Olol Dapash said continued surveying and demarcation of the Rose farm by Government surveyors is in bad faith and should be stopped.
They also demanded the removal of the security agents from the farm at the Tipis trading centre saying their presence was intimidating the locals.
"Yes we are in dialogue with the Government but we want the security agents still camping at Tipis centre and the farm to leave and await the outcome of the talks", said Dapash.
On Monday, internal security permanent secretary Francis Kimemia said the team comprising elders from the Maasai community would dialogue with other concerned parties to bring the matter to a conclusion.
Dapash who has been leading the community in opposing the re-settlement said inclusion of other communities from the area in the talks was misplaced.
"Our problem is squarely between us and the government and the issue of bringing in other communities is totally unacceptable", said Dapash.
He accused the Government of trying to arm-twist the community by bringing on board none Maasai people into the talks.
Prof Dapash said that the community would use all legal avenues to ensure that parcels of land taken away from them by both the Colonial Government and the successive Governments are surrendered back to the community.
"Even if it will take 100 years to reposess our ancestral lands then be it", added the Lecturer.
He accused the police manning the controversial land for allegedly detaining more than 3,000 sheep belonging to the community for straying into the farm, saying hundreds of them have succumbed to harsh conditions due to lack of water and pasture.
But reacting to the accusations, Nakuru police boss Mr Johnston Ipara said the move to keep the Maasai and their livestock at bay was to allow the surveyors to concentrate well with the activities without any disturbances.
"We are advising the herdsmen to keep off the farm and all other areas under security watch", said Ipara.
Tension has been building up in the area following the government’s decision to resettle IDPS on the land.
The residents have objected the government’s plan to purchase the 2,400-acre piece of land in Ole Tipis farm to resettle the IDPS.