18 July 2008
Nairobi — President Mwai Kibaki today said the Government was committed to restoring Mau forest to its original purpose so as to safeguard the catchments of the over twenty rivers that rely on the forest.
President Kibaki said the 2,000-squarter families living in the forest would be humanely relocated to a new site already identified by the Government.
The President was speaking at his Harambee House Office when he held talks with a Japanese delegation led by the vice Chairman of Japan-Africa Union Parliamentarians League Hon. Tetsuro Yano who paid him a courtesy call.
The Head of State said the forest was an important catchment area for the Sondu Miriu River whose waters levels had drastically reduced and would affect the hydro power station.
Japan is funding phase two of the Sondu Miriu hydro power station at a cost of Ksh. 7.6 billion, a project that is complete and awaiting commissioning, having also funded by way of a loan phase one at a cost of Ksh12 billion
President Kibaki welcomed the Hon. Yuno who is the Chairman, research committee on National life and Economy to visit Mombasa where modernization of the Kenya ports authority container terminal being funded with loan from the Japan bank of International cooperation is set to begin.
President Kibaki expressed appreciation to the Japanese Government for continued assistance to development projects in the country and looked forwarded to continued cordial relations between the two countries.
The Head of State asked the Japanese Government to consider financing Ol- Karia IV Geo thermal project whose assistance he requested during his recent visit to Japan.
On export of Kenyan flowers to Japan, President Kibaki said the product was being delivered through a third country in Europe and asked the Japanese authorities to give Kenya airways landing rights to start direct flights to Tokyo.
The Head of state also sought assistance to put up a structure for the inspection of Kenyan flowers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before export to Japan in order to maintain quality and freshness.
President Kibaki commended the Government of Japan for its commitment to African development through the TICAD initiative saying the Yokohama declaration and subsequent action plan are a hallmark of the partnership between Africa and Japan.
On permanent residency for the Kenyan Embassy in Tokyo, President Kibaki said the Government plans to acquire a plot and construct offices and residence of the Ambassador.
The Government currently spends 47,000 US dollars on monthly on rent that could be reduced through construction of a Kenyan Chancery.
Mr. Yano on his part thanked the President and other leaders for setting aside their personal ambitions to work together and return the country to normalcy after the post election challenges.
The Head of delegation said Japan was happy that Kenya was putting into proper use its development assistance.
Hon Yao said he had met the Minister for environment Mr. John Michuki on cleaning up of Nairobi River, a proposal which he said would be taken up by the Government of Japan.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi and four other Japanese legislators attended the talks.
PPS
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Serikali has to take cautios measures this time when evicting people from Mau. During last eviction, a lot of suffering was encountered such as chilren missing education becaue their school was burnt, the affected losing their properties like food, houses when their homes were destroyed,above all their lands were taken by the government.
The Mau People as I know most of them had small farms sold at their their original mohterlands and went purchasing farms in Mau because the cost of selling them was cheaper. That made many of them at least get an average of 5 acres.
I bought a farm in Mau in 1993 from a certain Okyot which costed me Ks. 12,000 per acre. I acquired almost 70 acres. Most of the farm now is thrown into what we are calling "Chemi Chemi". I only remained with 12 acres which was out of forest demarceted boundary line.
The government issued titile deeds for these farms, registered schools and have been examining pupils within the "forest area", has provincial administration (chiefs) within the same place.
Environmental protection is ok. People are also part of environment? What is causing conflicts now in Kenya especially during the election period? For me one major factor is land/resources. The government is to blame for this. Why do we have grabbed lands by the goons whic is supposed to be used for settling people and the govt is quiet?
If people are part of the environment let us also think of the future impact of just chasing them away from Mau without giving an alternative. With my investment of over 7 years do you think I will forget it in my life time?
Our Prime Minister, you have visited that place, what your heart telling you about the future of those children who saw thier beatiful homes burnt to ashes and living now in total poverty. If one of them becomes a leader of the cntry tomorrow what will happen?
Finally, govt. knows those brokers and sellers of the Mau forest we are not seeing any legal action taken against them. This anohter "Golden-Anglo- Leasing Scheme"