The State has no plans to change its stand on Mau Forest evictions, Government Spokesperson Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna has said.
While addressing the press on Thursday, Oguna said that the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led government is committed to protecting the forest from encroachers.
Oguna said that the government has good plans for the residents of Mau, adding that the eviction is being undertaken to protect the forest for the sake of future generations.
He also said that the planned eviction of more than 6000 persons is legal, adding that Mau is one of the largest water towers in the nation hence needs protection by all means. Oguna also rubbished allegations from some leaders that the exercise is politically driven.
“The process of saving Mau has to go on and that is the position of the government. It will go on in a humane way and taking into consideration that there must be dignity in doing the eviction or relocation. It is legal and it will continue. That is government position,” Oguna affirmed, as quoted by Capital FM.
He reminded Kenyans that the government has been undertaking evictions in the past to protect forest land while citing the case of Aberdares and Mt Kenya regions.
“It is not the first time this process is happening, it has happened several times and in other areas like in Mt Kenya, so I do not understand what is special about Mau,” he said.
The remarks come after Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko was summoned over the evictions.