Hundreds of Narok residents marched peacefully on Monday in protest against calls by some politicians for Mau Forest evictions not to take place.
Key among the politicians is Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, whose name was on the banners the protesters displayed.
Last Thursday, Murkomen led 10 Rift Valley politicians in visiting evictees at Kitoben area of Narok South constituency. He told them to return to their homes.
The groups
marched along Narok-Mai Mahiu highway, from Ole Tipis Secondary School to Narok town, shouting slogans in support of the evictions by the government.
Their spokesman, Meitamei olol Dapash, criticised Murkomen saying he is crying for children in four affected schools yet more than 20 million people across the continent depend on the Mau ecosystem.
Dapash noted that the destruction of the forest is one of the main causes of flash floods during rainy seasons.
“We have suffered too long because we are obedient and accommodating
people. We cannot [agree with] leaders who come from other counties to rubbish government efforts to conserve the forest,” Dapash said.
“Hundreds of cows have died while people [have suffered] in poverty because of the destruction. We are in full support of the government’s efforts to conserve the forest."
The spokesman, who once vied for Narok North MP, added that the Maasai and Kipsigis have
always lived together and intermarried, and will not accept people who encroach on forest land.
He also noted that the Jubilee Party government will be remembered for saving
the mega water catchment area from encroachment.
Residents of Narok county during a demonstration in support of Mau Forest evictions, July 23, 2018. /KIPLANGAT KIRUI
Jackson Kamoye, who served as
vice chairman of the defunct Narok County Council, said there were no flash floods and mudslides in Narok town when the forest was intact.
Narok County Commissioner George Natembeya announced that phase one of evictions had been completed and that phase two will begin soon. At least 7,700 people lost their homes in the first round while 40,000 are targeted in the second round.
Meanwhile, nominated MP David Sankok has pointed the finger at land officials who issued title deeds to settlers in the forest.
“Some settlers are very innocent as they were given genuine titles from the lands department. The people who should be blamed most are government officers who do not take their duties seriously," he said.
He added that land matters are emotive as they have resulted in perennial conflicts due to the issuance of fake or double titles.
Sankok demanded a lifestyle audit of all land and forest officers, whom he said have failed to conserve them.
“We cannot play politics with the Mau issue. It is not about any specific individual; it is about many rivers that draw water from the forest and many countries that depend on the forest,” he said.
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