Noah Wekesa has cautioned a section of Rift valley leaders to desist from inciting the Mau settlers.

Wekesa says the settlers have been moving out of the forest willingly but the interference from the leaders might derail the evacuation process.

Next week Kenya Wildlife Service rangers will be deployed to the forest to help in the smooth evacuation process and to ensure that they do not return to the Mau.

According to Wekesa, the operation will continue for another month.

He also confirmed that the government has transport ready to assist in ferrying the settlers to places of their choice.

13000 hectares of land have already been recovered from the south west Mau forest and the government appeals to all well wishers, private bodies, NGO's and other stake holders to join in the effort to recover Mau forest.

Dr. Wekesa noted that the Mau forest is a main source of water catchment in the country and wananchi should take matters of environmental conservation seriously.

At the same time the minister said the government has set aside sh. 22 million to help initiate the exercise of tree planting exercise in south west Mau forest.

Speaking at a press conference in his office, Dr. Wekesa said that the ministry wants to take advantage of the rains to plant trees in the Mau.

He added that Kazi kwa Vijana will be used to rehabilitate the forest citing the degradation that is severe and will take 5 years to plant.

"Funds have already been set aside to pay the youths who shall be deployed from that area" the minister said.

The minister said that the government will soon fix a day where tree planting for south West Mau will be launched so that all the government and private institutions of learning including universities and other stakeholders can arrange to plant trees.

Wekesa also confirmed that that so far over 4500 settlers have been registered as they move out and urged those who had moved out without registering to do so.

"The government assistance is for genuine settlers who have moved out of the forest and their names recorded.

"All those who have moved out without registering should do so with immediate effect so as to be captured in the records" he said.