This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
On October 6, 2019, police officers descended on the Mau Forest Complex, demolishing structures and leaving residents with nothing but debris.
Sierra Leone, a shopping centre in the Mau Forest Complex, was once a thriving hub for smallholder farmers who supplied fresh produce to Narok and Mullot. However, the centre is no more, and the residents are left to pick up the pieces.
Geoffrey Ng'etich, a resident, expressed his disappointment and frustration, saying, "Where are the people we woke up early in the morning during the last General Election to vote for?" He added, "I want you to tell the President, his deputy, and all Jubilee leaders from Rift Valley that we are of no use to them now. We pick our pieces and wait for 2022."
Stanley Towett, another resident, recalled a meeting with Deputy President William Ruto and Narok Governor Samuel Tunai in 2016 or 2017, where they were assured that they would not be removed from their land. However, the leaders have since gone silent, and the residents are left to suffer.
Leonard Lang'at, who operated a lodge, shop, and hotel, said he had suffered a huge loss, investing over Sh1 million at the centre and making a return of not less than Sh80,000 a month. Bernard Bett, who owned a barber shop and retail outlet, lost an investment valued at Sh200,000.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya denied allegations of police officers looting shops before bringing down the buildings. However, he acknowledged that some residents were trying to resist the eviction.
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto termed the demolition unlawful, saying the forced eviction is a disaster and that the Government refused to have discussion yet the matter is in court.
