Government starts process to resettle Eastern Mau residents

Residents of Eastern Mau sit on trees that were cutdown in Logoman forest within the Eastern Mau, Nakuru County on June 17, 2024. [File, Standard]

The government has announced plans to begin resettling residents of Eastern Mau after several years of wait.

Speaking during a meeting with residents at Kapsinendet area in Marioshoni, Lands Principle Secretary Nixon Korir said the process will begin next week.

Korir was accompanied by PS Forestry Gitonga Mugambi, Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, MPs Liza Chelule, Charity Kathambi (Njoro), Paul Chebor (Rongai), Alfred Mutai (Kuresoi North) among others.

Korir warned the locals against fraudsters who will ask for money in the name of being included in the list of beneficiaries. He noted that some people have opened offices registering people and demanding money and issuing lease certificates.

“This work is being done by the government of Kenya, nobody is being asked to pay any money for survey or to be included in the list of beneficiaries,” Korir said.

Korir noted that the government implementing the directive by the court and beacons will be placed on the land to mark the boundary between the settlement and the forest.

“After placing the beacons, no one from outside will get land here. The director of survey and the adjudication committee is ready. PS Mugambi has also nominated a group from the forestry site. We will also have a local committee to work with the one from the National Government. Their work begins next week,” he said.

Nessuit ward MCA thanked the PS for the directive noting that the locals will now operate in peace.

The Senate Majority leader noted that the locals should stop living in worry as the government will abide by the decision of the court.

He called on the locals to be on the look out and identify fraudsters in their midst.

“Do not be deceived to dispose of your land once the titles are issued, utilize it well,” he said.

He said the government will initiate a number of development projects in the area and improve road networks and electricity connectivity in the area.

The over 46, 000 residents have for over the years lived in fear as the government carried out evictions following alleged encroachment into the forest. Successive governments have carried out evictions leaving massive destruction in the rich agricultural land.

The settlers, despite the challenges, have been on the land, filing cases against the government and clinging to court orders to stay on the land.