Maa leaders back Mau eviction directive

Leaders from the Maasai community have defended a directive by the Government to evict settlers from the Mau forest.

Among those who have hailed the State eviction move is Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku (pictured).

Mr Lenku yesterday said eviction of people from the Mau was a good move that would lead to the restoration of the huge water tower.

Lenku hit out at a group of Rift Valley leaders, who, he said, were inciting some of their kinsmen not to leave the Mau.

“The issue of Mau is not negotiable. We categorically state that people must move out of Mau for the sake of the country," Lenku said.

The Kajiado Governor also said it was wrong for the Rift Valley leaders to attack Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko on the Mau issue.

“It’s not the minister's prerogative to force people out of Mau, this is a Government position. Throwing insults at a Cabinet Secretary who is the agent of the President is an attack on the presidency,” Lenku said.

Legal action

He called for legal action to be taken against leaders who incited communities.

“The Government must enforce the law by dealing with leaders who cause incitement. It’s not about a certain community being targeted as these leaders say. All communities in the Mau have been asked to leave," Lenku said.

Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina said leaders who incited the communities on the Mau eviction issue were protecting interests of their powerful friends who own land in Mau illegally.

“The Government should not dare compensate individuals who own ranches in Mau. If anyone has a title deed in Mau, he should look for those who sold that land to him because the title is dubious," said Mr Kina.

The Government has given the Mau settlers up to October 3, to move out of the water tower.

About 60,000 families are targeted for eviction.