Even as the second phase of the Mau Forest eviction looms, leaders from the Rift Valley region have united to call on the government to stop the exercise till further mutual agreements are arrived at.
The leaders led by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Elgeyo Marakwet Kipchumba Murkomen have cried foul over the impending eviction of 60,000 families urging the government to ensure that the affected families are first compensated before being moved out of the area.
Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony has so far threatened to move to the International Criminal Court at The Hague should the government proceed with the planned phase two of the eviction.
Despite this, the government through Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya has insisted that phase two of the eviction would proceed as planned adding that no families will be compensated.
Natembeya’s solid stand on evictions has attracted reactions from leaders across the Rift Valley region with a section of leaders from Baringo calling on their colleagues to join their South Rift counterparts in fighting for the people in Mau saying parts of Baringo (Mochongoi) could be the next target.
“As the leadership of Baringo, we need to stand with those facing eviction in Mau because our people in Mochongoi could be next in the guillotine. Right now, we have been rebranded Marmanet, a forest that is in of Laikipia County,” said Mochongoi ward MCA Kipruto Kimosop adding that the whole push for eviction is political.
Despite the current push by Rift Valley leaders to have the government reconsider its decisions, one Keny figure from the region, Deputy President William Ruto has been missing from the scene.
Ruto, despite being the region’s kingpin, has remained mum over the matter leaving many in the country guessing on his position over the sensitive Mau matter which is threatening to further widen the rift in the ruling Jubilee party.
On Friday, Deputy President William who was in Narok South sub-county steered clear of the planned evictions even as leaders from his Kalenjin community intensified calls for the government to halt the exercise.
Ruto who had made a whistle-stop tour of seven projects in Emurrua Dikirr constituency in Narok county dwelt on development talks skipping the sensitive Mau evictions topic.
In 2018 during the first phase of evictions, Ruto said that those who encroached on the forest should be flushed out but in a humane manner that was not going to result in any humanitarian crisis.
DP Ruto had dismissed talks that he was defending illegal settlers, saying conservation of forests was crucial. On the looming phase two evictions targeting over 60,000 people, Ruto had called for negotiations saying the national government would sit with the county government on the best way to remove them out of the forest in a humane way.
“We respect every Kenyan’s rights. No force should be used as they are Kenyans and not animals,” said Ruto when he visited Narok in July 2018.
The second phase of evictions is likely to put Mr. Ruto in a tight spot regarding whether he will stand by the government action or side with the likely victims who hail from his Rift Valley backyard.
ODM party leader Raila Odinga has also remained mum over the exercise owing to the fact that his involvement earlier evictions during President Kibaki’s regime costed him many votes from the Rift Valley region.
After voting twice then you find yourself in a journey in the wilderness going to unknown place from the government Forrest of mau. Then to make it worse Ruto is quiet like nothing is happening jameni. Ruto should start his new opposition Chief duty with this great opportunity. Posted one Facebook user.