Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya on Wednesday announced that 15 schools in Mau Forest have been shut down in preparation for the planned phase two evictions. 

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During a press briefing, Natembeya claimed that the schools were set up illegally.

“The community centres or whatever are being called schools, are actually not registered because they had no land documents since they are situated in a government gazetted forest — MAU. They are not manned by Teachers Service Commission," the Regional Commissioner was quoted by Citizen Diitalitizen.

The affected schools are Senetwet, Kirobon, Kitoben, Kapsilibwo, Lelechwet, Indianit, Chebirbelek, Olabai, Kabarak, Noosagami, Chorwet, Chebetet, Ogilge, Sebetet and Koitabai.

The evictions have attracted opposition from some Rift Valley leaders. 

Led by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, the local politicians want the exercise postponed.

“We are assuring our people of this…the people in Mau are not in encroached land,” said the former governor.

However, Natembeya has warned affected people against believing political promises. He said the evictions will proceed as planned and will affect 10,000 people. 

On Tuesday, those said to have encroached on forest reserve land were given 60 days to vacate voluntarily.