Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday steered clearly out of Mau forest evictions debate even as government maintained decision to kick people out.
For the last two months, the eviction plans have caused jitters within Rift Valley, with politicians from Kalenjin community threatening to sue Kenya at the Hague.
Already, 40 lawyers are filing submissions, arguing that the evictions are inhumane and should be opposed with vigour by the international community.
During the burial of Hassan Ole Kamwaro in Narok South, Mr Odinga, who started the evictions and which were probably used to slaughter his ambitions among Kalenjins, snubbed the debate.
“I do not want to talk on the Mau issue today lest people say I am back at it,” he said.
Instead, Mr Odinga asked the Maasai community to support expansion of the executive, arguing that creation of Prime Minister post was inevitable.
In 2013, area leaders among them Deputy President William Ruto accused Mr Odinga of pushing people out of the forest. The DP has since gone mute on the matter.
“We realised that corruption, poverty and lack of inclusiveness was gripping the nation. That is why we formed the BBI to collect views from Kenyans,” he said.
On his part, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka encouraged the government to go on with the evictions, defending Keriako Tobiko from the onslaught.
“Tobiko is implementing government policy and we should support him fully,” Kalonzo said.
Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya affirmed that there was no turning back on the Mau eviction. He said the 60-day notice given for the settlers to leave the forest will not be extended.
“The government will never go slow on eviction. Upon the lapse of the period given, a forceful eviction will be done,” Natembeya said.