1 November 2009
Nairobi — Settlers in Mau Forest with crops on their farms will be given time to harvest, it was announced on Sunday. Forest and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa said some of the settlers owned livestock and other property that may require more time to dispose of.
"Those who still have crops on their farms will tell us when they plan to harvest and we will give them time," Dr Wekesa told Nation in an interview at Hillcrest School in Nairobi where he was a guest at a dog show.
He said those who failed to leave at the end of a 14-day notice issued by the Kenya Forest Services last week will be persuaded to do so. "We will ask the Provincial Administration to organise barazas to educate them," Dr Wekesa said.
Members of the coordinating secretariat on Mau, which is headed by Hassan Noor Hassan, and politicians will also take part in the barazas (meetings). "We need the political leaders' goodwill and we will bring them on board as things may not be easy," the minister said.
Dr Wekesa, who was in Mau four days ago, said most of the settlers have no documents and had not invested heavily in the forest. "We expect such people to move out at the expiry of the notice," Dr Wekesa said.
Settlers with title deeds, including those who surrendered theirs last week, will be compensated after they leave the forest, he said.
Wielding rungus
Asked what would happen to those who ignored the quit notice, the Kwanza MP said: "Don't expect us to send people wielding rungus to chase them out. But I would want to remind such people that failing to comply with the notice will be breaking the law. And this has consequences," he said.
He, however, promised that the government will assist those with no transport to relocate.
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