This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya made a crucial decision to reverse the directive to close 15 schools in the Maasai Mau, allowing students to sit for their national examinations uninterrupted.
The schools, which include Kirobon, Senetwet, Kapsibilwo, Kitoben, Indianit, Kabarak, Noosogami, Chorwet, Ogilgei, Sebetet, Olabai, Koitabai, Chebirbelek, Chebetet, and Lelechwet, were initially targeted for phased evictions at the Maasai Mau.
However, Mr. Natembeya decided to let the pupils go back to school until after the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations, which will be held at the lapse of the 60-day grace period.
"We made a decision to let the pupils go back to school until after the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) which will be done at the lapse of the 60 days window to allow the settlers move," said Mr. Natembeya.
He also maintained that the families who have encroached the water tower would still be required to move upon the expiry of the 60-day grace period.
Mr. Natembeya's decision comes two days after the schools failed to open for third term on Monday, with the Kenya Forest Service rangers and police officers deployed to the section of the forest that is under impasse.
