This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto has spoken out on the Mau Forest eviction controversy, urging the government to prioritize education and avoid disrupting learning in the area.
On Tuesday, Ruto addressed students at Moi Girls High School in Kibra, Nairobi, where he opened a new 580-bed dormitory.
“Every child is entitled to be in school sio tafadhali. Hiyo ni jukumu ya serikali (It is the government’s mandate to ensure all children access education). Even those in Mau will not be left behind,” Ruto said.
The Deputy President emphasized the importance of education in the development and transformation of citizens' lives, stating that it is the single greatest empowerment that society can give to children.
“Education is against the law for school-going children not to be in school,” Ruto added.
His comments come a day after the government abandoned plans to shut down 15 schools targeted in the second phase of the Mau Forest evictions.
Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui explained that the decision was reversed to allow learners to complete their studies and exams without 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,” Mbui said.
The Maasai Mau Forest, covering 114,355.2519 acres (46,278ha), is a vital water tower and a registered trust land under the Trust Land Act.
The government has warned that allowing settlers in the forest would have catastrophic consequences for the ecosystem, local communities, and the environment.
According to a report, the forest is under threat from human-induced pressure and destruction, including encroachment, commercial charcoal burning, and illegal logging.
“The impact of this human-related degradation has been catastrophic with frequent floods, drought, reduced river flows, food shortage, and poor land productivity, among others,” the report states.
