The government of Kenya has defended itself from the ongoing evictions in Mau forest, a man that had put environment CS Keriako Tobiko under scrutiny.
Over 60,000 are allegedly targeted from Kenya's largest water catchment area, with majority of them found in Narok South part of the escarpment.
But government spokesman Cyrus Oguna on Thursday downplayed eviction claims, insisting that the government is only relocating people to other places.
“Eviction of people from the Mau catchment area has to go on to save this country, but this will happen in a humane manner. The right word in actually relocation of families and not eviction,” said Mr Oguna.
“It will uphold the dignity of the people, that's the position of government,” he added.
A section of Rift Valley leaders led by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen have maintained that the section contested is trust land, adding that evictions are unfair.
“We want to make it clear that the people living in Narok South are actually living in a trust land and are genuine buyers of land from titles issued by the government and by no means can they be categorised as forest dwellers,” said Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen.
But the government maintains that it's not the first time such relocations are being done across forests in the country, adding that Mau plays important role in conservation.
“It’s not the first time evictions are happening, it was done before and due processes are always followed,” he said.
“Mau is the most important of the five critical water towers that feeds our major rivers that help in achieving food security, yet it is greatly endangered. People must leave,” he said.