Government has set aside funds for resettling Mau forest evictees, Deputy President William Ruto says

The Government has set aside funds to resettle families, which were left out during the first resettlement of Mau forest evictees, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

 Mr Ruto said all those who were affected will be resettled amicably since the funds have already been provided for in the budget.

A group of Mau Forest evictees (PHOTO: COURTESY)

 “I want to assure families which were not resettled during the last resettlement exercise that the Government has set aside funds this financial year to resettle them,” said Mr. Ruto.

 Speaking at Kiptagich Secondary School in Kuresoi North Constituency, Nakuru County on Friday, Mr. Ruto told leaders to stop politicising the issue.

 “The Government has its own ways of solving problems facing its people. There is no need for some people to engage in propaganda on the Mau issue because it cannot help solve such a problem,” said Mr Ruto.

 He said leaders should put aside their political differences and work together in confronting the challenges facing the people.

 The Deputy President said the Government has lifted land caveat in Nakuru County but cases before courts were making it difficult for land transaction to take place.

 He said those who presented a case in court to stop any land transaction in the county have been approached to drop such cases to allow land transactions take place and pave way for issuance of title deeds.

 “The Government has done everything possible to solve the problem of land caveat in this county but some people who went to court over the matter are making it difficult for land transactions to take place,” he said.

 He went on, “We have however approached them (those who went to court) to drop such cases to allow land transactions take place and their owners issued with title deeds.”

 Mr Ruto said the Government was committed to improving roads leading to agricultural zones across the country to ease movement of farmers and goods from one place to another.

 He said plans were underway to tarmac roads in the area at a cost of Sh5.2billion singling out the Kibunja-Molo, Molo- Olenguruoni-Mauche as some of the roads earmarked for construction.

 The Deputy President urged Kenyans to take advantage of Government commitment to development of education by investing in education of their children.

 “We have increased capitation money for both primary and secondary schools by 40 percent. We have also relieved parents the burden of paying examinations fee for standard eight and form four candidates,” he said.

 He added, “This clearly demonstrates the Government’s commitment to making education affordable for all Kenyans irrespective of their family backgrounds. You should take advantage of this situation to ensure your children are in school.”

 He said education was the greatest empowerment a nation could give to its citizens.

 “The greatest empowerment any nation can give to its citizens is good quality education. This is why we are doing our best to ensure an equitable society through education,” said Mr. Ruto.

 MPs who accompanied the Deputy President included Charles Keter (Kericho), Liza Chelule (nominated), Samuel Lelelit (Samburu West), Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West) And deputy governor Joseph Ruto.

 The legislators said they fully supported the initiative to bring together all affiliate parties of Jubilee under the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).

 Mr Wanyama said residents of Western Kenya would not make a mistake of supporting losing candidates come the next general election.

 “I want to make it clear here today that we in Western will support Jubilee under the leadership of president Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President, Ruto in 2017 elections,” he said.

Mr Wanyama added, “We cannot make another mistake to be in Opposition again after the next election.”

 Mr Keter who is the chairman of Rift Valley MPs urged leaders in the area to work together and speak with one voice in addressing challenges facing the region.

 He warned them against being misused by individuals from outside the area to undermine the leadership of Deputy President for their own selfish gains.

 “We are firmly behind the leadership of William Ruto. As residents of Rift Valley we should be wary of those leaders who want to divide us on clan basis to undermine the leadership of the Deputy President to achieve their selfish gains,” said Mr Keter.