This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
On August 9, 2019, a group of Kalenjin leaders visited Raila Odinga to discuss the impending second phase of Mau Forest evictions, which could affect up to 60,000 settlers.
The leaders, led by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, expressed concerns that the evictions could backfire if not done properly and without consultations.
‘The evictions can cause a major humanitarian crisis even igniting ethnic flare-ups. We are reaching out to the State and key players to halt the process until a proper approach is adopted,’ said Ruto.
Former Cabinet Minister Franklin Bett, former internal security permanent secretary Zakayo Cheruiyot, and politician Paul Sang also met with Odinga to discuss the issue.
‘Raila understands the (eviction) issue since he has handled it before. He was easy to access and he knows the challenge ahead,’ Ruto said.
Environment CS Keriako Tobiko had announced two months prior to the meeting that the government intended to carry out the second round of Mau Forest evictions to clear the water tower of illegal settlers.
According to Tobiko, the second phase of the evictions has no compensation, as the targeted group had illegally encroached on government land.
