Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga has continued his push for the conservation of water towers and asked politicians "to leave politics out of government activities."
Addressing the Green and Competitive Electricity Conference in Nairobi's Hilton Hotel, Mr Odinga called for support in the resettlement exercise of the Mau Forest.
He defended the government against criticism that the eviction was carried out inhumanly.
"The government is trying to do it as humanely as possible," Mr Odinga said.
The PM again criticised a section of MPs from the Rift Valley for being "selfish" by opposing the eviction of squatters from the Mau Forest.
"Government efforts cannot be frustrated by a few selfish politicians doing it (opposing the plan) for political reasons," he added.
Agriculture minister William Ruto has been on the forefront in opposing the eviction saying its implementation was not what was agreed in Cabinet.
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On Monday, in what appeared to be an answer to his critics over the perceived selective eviction of squatters from the Mau Forest, Mr Odinga said the plan was not only focused on Mau but will also target all the water towers in the country.
He said the Aberdares, Mt Elgon and Cherangany Hills water towers will also be protected.
As Mr Odinga spoke, two ministers John Michuki (Environment and Mineral Resources) and Kiraitu Murungi (Energy) supported the efforts to rid water towers of squatters.
Mr Murungi praised the Prime Minister for his "relentless war" over the conservation of the water tower "at the expense of his political career."
"He (Mr Odinga) seems to have decided that the country was more important (than his career)," the Energy Minister said.
Mr Michuki said the Mau issue was "about to be contained, even politically" even though he did not elaborate further.
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