Gov’t evicts over 3,000 people from Maasai Mau forest, says there will be no compensation

Over 3,000 people have been evicted in parts of Maasai Mau Forest in fresh evictions that commenced a month ago.

However, residents of Enaituyupaki area in Narok North sub-county, have vowed to stay put after the government destroyed their homes saying there would be compensation.

Citizen TV visited the area and met Roda Saoli, one of the evictees overwhelmed with emotion as her house was demolished on Thursday night together with many others.

“Tunaishi kwa hadaki tumeeka karatasi nani kukaa hakuna kitu cha kula, sijui pa kwenda, walianza kufyeka mahindi, wakabomoa maboma, wakabomoa manyumba yote,” she lamented.

Families have been left stranded, as is the case for Saoli who has opted to make their meal outside the structures that they once called home.

Their next move is unknown as some try to salvage items others are driving away sheep to unknown destinations

“Nilipata wazazi wameoleka ilikuwa jambo la ajabu ni kama dhuluma kufanyiwa kama hivi hatukuwa na habari hata hakuna notice ndio tujipange na watoto,” Saoli said.

“Nyumba sitini imechomwa, watoto wanafanya mtihani wanatembea kama kuku, serikali wacha kutupiga, na hatuna shida yoyote.”

A month ago, the government began evictions along the Maasai Mau forest, saying illegal settlers had put up their homes on forest land.

The residents who have been living on this land for 8 years maintain they are the rightful owners.

“Jana walikuja wakanivunjia boma nimetumia millioni tano, tumelala nje tumeharrasiwa, sisi tumekuwa hapa miaka yote, hii shamba niliachiwa na baba sasa naenda wapi,” Dominic Saoli, a victim, stated.

Another victim Solomon Yengo added: “Serikali area hii mashamba iligawiwa na section ikafungwa kama mtu ako na complaint kungekuwa na appeal, sisi tuko na mashamba...Hapa ndio sisi tumezaliwa awache kutembea na ndege aje kutuonyesha.”

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan says 3,000 settlers have been flushed out of the area as the government moves in fast to secure the forest land that had been encroached.

“Mpaka sasa zaidi ya watu elfu tatu walikuwa wameingia kwa msitu tumewaondoa, walikuwa wamejenga nyumba lakini sio za kuishi inakaribia kama mia nne, they were erected tukasema iondolewe,” Dr Hassan noted.

 The RC said the most affected areas were Enebelbel, Eneng’etia, Ololpil, Olokurto, Sachwasan, Nkaretta and Kerampa areas, as the government says it will not compensate anyone and that the evictions will continue.

“The government is dead serious on this matter, wale wote wameingia kwa msitu tunawaeleza nawasihi wafanye upesi wafunge virago watafute the shortest route possible out, wale wanaishi karibu na msitu wasiingie wataendelea kuishi nje ya msitu,” he added.