This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
Residents who fled from the Mau Forest's Sierra Leone area in Narok South rest by the roadside at Chepokundi in Kuresoi South, Nakuru, on Saturday night.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko has warned that senior government officials, politicians, and ranch owners who sold land in the Mau Forest to locals will face arrest and prosecution.
According to Tobiko, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss George Kinoti has completed investigations into the encroachment of about 14,000 hectares in the Mau Complex by well-connected individuals.
Mr. Kinoti has forwarded the files to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji for action, signaling arrests could be looming amid the ongoing emotive evictions.
On September 11, 2019, Tobiko issued a statement in Parliament, stating that the evictions are unstoppable and have to be done 'now or never', adding that they have been sanctioned by the Government.
He described those involved in the encroachment as 'big fish', stating that they were the same people behind the push to compensate the affected families.
Illegal document Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen had earlier claimed that the evictions had not been approved by the Cabinet, but were being pushed by Tobiko.
The 'big fish' sold part of the gazetted water catchment area to nearly 7,000 individuals, according to documents tabled before the National Assembly's Environment Committee chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki.
Tobiko advised individuals who purchased land in the forest to provide particulars of the individuals who sold them the land for legal action to be taken.
He further clarified that none of the affected families would be compensated because they acquired their title deeds illegally.
Yesterday's proceedings were momentarily disrupted by MPs Hillary Koskei (Kipkelion West) and Charity Kathambi (Njoro,) who banged tables after Tobiko stated that the title deeds held by 716 individuals were 'mere pieces of papers'.
