Narok, Kenya – In a significant development for environmental conservation, Narok County legislators have applauded the government’s recent actions to evict illegal occupants from the Maasai Mau and Enosupukia forests. These areas had experienced considerable encroachment, prompting government intervention.
According to Kenya News Agency, Women Representative Rebecca Tonkei and Narok East Member of Parliament Ken Aramat voiced their support for the evictions during a tree planting event at the Enosupukia Forest. They highlighted the importance of these actions in reclaiming thousands of hectares of forest land that had been illegally occupied. MP Aramat emphasized that the evictions were essential for restoring a significant portion of the forest area and urged those evicted to find alternative living arrangements, stressing that no one has the right to reside in these forest lands.
Mrs. Tonkei echoed these sentiments, urging both the county and national governments to ensure the continued protection of these forests against future invasions. She clarified that residents living near the forest boundary with legitimate title deeds to their land would not be impacted by these measures.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan reported that over 3,000 families had been removed from the Maasai Mau Forest in the ongoing eviction process. He revealed that approximately 23,000 hectares had been encroached upon, with a commitment to recover all illegally occupied forest land. Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde pledged to safeguard all county forests, including Loita, Enosupukia, and Mau Forest, from encroachment. He emphasized the role of these forests as vital water sources for the county and called on residents to participate in tree planting initiatives.
The Maasai Mau Forest, part of the larger Mau Forest complex, spans Narok South and North Sub-Counties, covering around 46,000 hectares. The Loita forest, located in Narok South Sub County, measures approximately 33,000 hectares, while the Enosupukia forest, situated in Narok East Sub County, encompasses about 10,000 hectares.