The African Union Commission on Human and People's Rights has ruled that the government suspends the eviction of illegal settlers from the Mau Forest.
The Banjul, Gambia commission has ordered a halt of the exercise, which has since been carried out, arguing that it will interfere with rights of the affected persons.
In the October 21 ruling, the commission argues that the evictions will badly affect the lives of vulnerable citizens, including children and the elderly.
“The commission calls on the respondent State to take immediate steps to halt and suspend the eviction of residents from the Mau Forest Complex,” the ruling read in part.
Responding to the same, Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya, said the directive will not be honoured.
He has termed it "overtaken by events", as all settlers have since left the forest, noting that the government is actually in the process of rehabilitating the complex.
“The decision is inconsequential; the government cannot implement it since there is no one left in the forest," he told the Nation.
The commission made the ruling in response to a complaint filed by the Center for International and Comparative Law, which argued that the evictions will affect 60,000 families.