This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
On August 19, 2019, Environment CS Keriako Tobiko reaffirmed the government's commitment to restoring Mau Forest, a water tower crucial for the survival of future Kenyan generations.
Speaking at a press conference, Tobiko ruled out any negotiations with politicians over the restoration of the forest, stating that the process will be about restoring the water tower, not about tribes or political affiliations.
“The Mau forest disputes are political and have nothing to do with the law being flouted. We do not care which tribe you come from or your political affiliation – whether tangatanga or kieleweke. Restoration of the Mau is now or never,” Tobiko said.
The restoration process, which is part of the government's plan to plant 1.8 billion trees by 2020, will affect an estimated 60,000 people, including 8,000 school-going children and about 1,000 candidates of the national examinations.
County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti warned residents against charcoal burning, emphasizing that forests belong to the national government and will not be allowed to benefit a few individuals at the expense of the entire nation.
