This archive report was first published on 15 November 2019.
On November 1, 2019, Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko launched a tree-planting initiative in the Mau Forest, where he announced plans to fence the entire forest. The Kenya Water Tower Agency has pledged to put up a 50-kilometre fence, but the forest's radius is 119 kilometres.
Narok County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti has stated that the forest will be fenced to prevent encroachment, and families who breach the boundary will be evicted. He added that the police have restricted access to the forest to prevent security threats.
Some residents who were evicted from the forest recently held a demonstration, demanding to be allowed into the forest to check on their crops. However, Kimiti argued that allowing free movement into the forest would create opportunities for thieves to steal from people's farms.
