President Uhuru Kenyatta in a past photo. He has been warned to keep Mau off his campaigns as its a contagious issue[Photo/Courtesy]
During his campaigns in Narok on Tuesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered various goodies to the people. Among the was lifting of a more than 10 years caveat on Mau Forest. This has not been taken well with opposition leaders from the region who have protested and have threatened to hold a mass action to force the government to shelve the plans. The President and his deputy while in the campaign trail in Olmekenyu, Narok South, an area earmarked for evictions, promised the residents that no one would be evicted from the Maasai Mau forest land.In 2005, former President Mwai Kibaki placed a caveat on the Mau. During that time people were evicted from the water tower to save it. However, President Uhuru said his government had lifted the caveat placed on the land in 2005. He said the government had set a side funds to help rebuild homes, schools and other social amenities for families that had been evicted. However, in rejoinder, the opposition led by opposition politicians have termed Mau as a grave concern. Chama Cha Mashinani national secretary general Meitamei Ololdapash, Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta and ODM gubernatorial candidate Joseph Tiampati have said lifting the caveat would lead to unnecessary conflicts between communities. “Jubilee is at it again, legitimising illegal title deeds through roadside declarations. The Mau should never be used as a political tool, we take this seriously,” said Mr Ololdapash, a Maasai land activist who is also a vying for the Narok North parliamentary seat.