This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, the government made a U-turn on its earlier decision to close 15 schools in the Mau Forest, which were targeted in the second phase of evictions.
Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui announced the reversal, citing the need to allow pupils to complete their studies and sit for the Third Term exams without any disruption.
"In the interest of pupils, for now the government will allow children to go back to school and complete the exams set to be written in Third Term without any disruption," said Mr. Mbui.
However, the county commissioner encouraged voluntary relocation of families living in the Mau to forestall looming forced eviction slated to take place within 60 days.
The government is targeting to reclaim 17,000 acres of land in the phase two of Mau Forest evictions, which will affect 10,000 households.
Earlier, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya had stated that the targeted schools are not government institutions and have been set up in the area illegally.
