ELDORET North MP William Ruto has said he is not to be blame for the degradation of Mau forest complex. Ruto said he supports the conservation of Mau and other vital water towers in the country and also backs the ongoing reforestation programme.

"I am not an enemy of environmental conservation as my rivals portray me. I am a student of environmental studies and know the importance of restoring water towers," he said.

He was speaking at the weekend when he attended the burial of URP women representative the late Patricia Parsitau at Eor Ngitok in Narok.

Ruto said all he had been advocating for is for people to be removed in a humane manner and settled elsewhere because they are Kenyans.

He lashed out at Heritage minister William ole Ntimama who had accused Ruto of using the Mau issue as a campaign tool to fight Prime Minister Raila Odinga's supremacy in the region.

"Ntimama dished out the forest for his own political mileage during the time he was Narok county councilchairman. When he made the deal, I was a school boy and therefore cannot be blamed for the mess. He should stop being hypocritical and carry his own cross," Ruto said.

Ruto was accompanied by Information Minister Samuel Poghisio, Home Affairs Assistant Minister Beatrice Kones, Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchellah, Kajiado North MP Moses ole Sakuda, Narok South legislator Nkoidila ole Lankas and URP activist Leah Ntimama.