Environment CS Keriako Tobiko has hit out at Deputy President William Ruto for claiming that he was in the frontline in the conservation of Mau forest.
Tobiko said that the deputy president never participated in efforts to restore the degraded forest and he should stop cheating Kenyans on the issue.
He made the remarks during the Maa declaration in Parburush in Narok South sub county when the leaders endorsed Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta for Narok gubernatorial post on ODM ticket in the next polls on Wednesday.
“Ruto was missing in action when the state was putting all the measures to ensure that the illegal settlers, who have caused destruction, are move out of the forest,” said Tobiko.
He said if the DP is given the chance to be the next president, all the settlers will return back to forest and will continuing cause more destruction to the largest water tower in the country.
The CS added that this country is not safe hands of DP, Kenyans should be wary of his tricks because of integrity issue.
“We cannot trust him to lead this country and as the Maa community will behind the ODM leader Raila Odinga’s bid for state house and we will not entertain Ruto’s lies to us,” he said.
One month ago, while in Narok county, DP Ruto has lashed out at politicians who are fond of using Mau forest as a tool for political mileage.
Ruto said that Mau issue is a gone case as the illegal settlers have been removed from the forest to pave way for the restoration of the biggest water catchment area.
“Those who were in the forest illegally have been evicted and the government will not allow anyone to return to the forest and those spreading romours about it have missed the point,” said Ruto.
The event was attended by former Geothermal Development Company CEO Engineer Johnson ole Nchoe, NEMA Chairman Dalton Konchellah, former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel and Narok Women Representative Aspirant Lydia Masikonde.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Kenta who thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga for being in the frontline to conserve the Mau forest.
He said many livelihoods across the East Africa region have been depending on this important resource and its conserving was done at the right time.
“The wildlife especially at the Maasai Mara depends on the waters from the Mau Forest. Destroying these forests means we are seriously destroying our tourism sector. As leaders we have a duty to stand firm and tell the people the truth,” said Kenta.
On his gubernatorial bid, the MP dismissed allegations that he will discriminate a certain community once he is elected to be the next county boss.
“I will unite all the community but I will elect my running mate from the Maasai community let that be known to you,” he remarked.
While backing the unity of the Maasai Community, Nchoe said that he contested for the seat in ODM party in 2013 polls but this time round is backing Kenta for the county post.
The climax of the ceremony was endorsement of the legislator by the elders a clear indication that he should now be ready to take the county seat.
In a blessing ceremony, the elders dressed him in a traditional regalia and bless using milk and honey with traditional liquor that spilled to him.
The elders performed rituals as a symbol of authority to represent the community’s political interest and was given clean health of bill to seek the elective position.
Edited by S. Maombo
