An environmental lobby group in Njoro has asked the Jubilee government to hasten the Mau Forest Complex conservation programme and stop playing politics with the famed water tower. Humphrey Kihara, the spokesperson of Njoro River Users and Stakeholders Association (NRUSA) noted this on Thursday in Njoro town during an Environmental Stakeholders Forum that was organized by the association.
The environmental activist took issue with the Jubilee administration for failing to put in place proper and firm measures aimed at protecting the Mau Forest Complex but instead acting cautiously to protect its political interests in Rift Valley. “The government must act firmly and put in place a permanent policy that will work towards conserving and protecting the Mau. If people have encroached in the forest illegally or are misusing the forest resources, and then the law must be applied impartially without playing politics.
The government has no obligation of resettling criminals living in a protected area illegally. If the law says they must leave the forest, then they have to leave unconditionally, ‘’retorted Kihara. The environmental group spokesman further warned that the continued destruction of the forest would lead to an environmental disaster and urged environmental stakeholders in the country and even international, to join forces in petitioning the government against its indirect roles in the forest’s destruction.