MPs demand plots for Mau evictees

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By NATION CORRESPONDENT
Posted  Tuesday, October 9  2012 at  20:01

IN SUMMARY

• Roads Minister Franklin Bett, assistant minister Magerer Langat (Energy) and Beatrice Kones (Home Affairs) said the evictees should be moved to individual plots immediately to ease further suffering.
• The government has acquired 3,200 acres of land at Majani Mingi where 400 families were moved.
• A temporary camp has been set up at the farm as plans for demarcation get under way.

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Three ODM ministers have given the government one week to properly resettle all Mau evictees who were moved to a farm in Rongai District last week.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett, assistant minister Magerer Langat (Energy) and Beatrice Kones (Home Affairs) said the evictees should be moved to individual plots immediately to ease further suffering.

The government has acquired 3,200 acres of land at Majani Mingi where 400 families were moved. A temporary camp has been set up at the farm as plans for demarcation get under way.

“I’m shocked that the Lands ministry, which is under my friend Mr James (Orengo) has not sent surveyors here. “But don’t worry we’ll fight for you to the end,” Mr Bett said.

The legislators said their colleagues in government had not given the matter the seriousness it deserves, with Mr Langat threatening to employ the services of private surveyors if the government does not act with speed. (READ: Raila allies threaten to ditch him over IDPs)

The three were part of the government delegation led by Mr Orengo and Rift Valley PC Osman Warfa that was at the farm to receive the families.

The squatters complained that they had been promised that a borehole would be drilled at the farm within one week, but this had not been done.

“We know people have been playing politics with your problems for many years, but we have decided to pursue your resettlement once and for all,” Mr Langat said.

According to him, some politicians, whom he did not name, allocated themselves land meant for former squatters, thereby displacing them. “We have fought a big battle to get you here,” he added.

The Roads Minister claimed that the government gave special treatment to victims of the post-election violence, yet the Mau evictees were neglected.