This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Published on September 19, 2019, the Maasai Mau Forest evictions have been a complex issue, with 2,200 of 3,372 families voluntarily leaving the area to allow for the restoration of this critical water tower.
The Maasai Mau Forest is a vital source of water for several rivers, including the Mara River, which flows into the River Nile and supports life in Egypt. The forest's destruction has had serious ramifications, affecting at least 10,000 people, including 8,000 schoolchildren and over 1,000 national examination candidates.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko has emphasized the importance of balancing individual rights with those of the public and future generations. The evictions have been carried out humanely, but the rights of those affected must be respected.
However, there are concerns about the illicit sale of forest land, with 17 families seeking redress for land they bought from unscrupulous dealers. Perpetrators of these illegal sales must be held accountable.
