Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has directed the multi-agency security teams engaged in the ongoing reclamation of the Mau Forest to conduct the exercise humanely.
The process involves reclaiming sections of the Mau Forest Complex from encroachment and illegal logging activities.
"However, the ministry reiterates the need for the multi-agency security teams, headed by the Rift Valley regional commissioner, to carry out the operation humanely to avoid actions that may lead to loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of genuine forest adjacent communities," Tuya said.
The Mau restoration efforts were started back in 2019 when some 10,000 households were earmarked for eviction within Maasai Mau block, one of the 21 blocks that were marked for reclamation in the expansive water tower.
Then Rift Valley regional commissioner George Natembeya said the exercise would be conducted "with dignity and in a humane way".
The eviction was announced after the government cancelled 1,274 title deeds in the Mau complex.
During the first phase of the eviction in July 2018, about 7,700 people were evicted from the forest land which saw over 12,000 acres of the forest reclaimed.
The second phase of evictions targeted Nkoben, Ilmotiok, Ololunga, Enokishomi, Enoosokon, Nkaroni and Sisian blocks.
By July 2021, the State had reclaimed more than 11,119 acres illegally encroached on the east side of Mau.
On October 1, 2023, President William Ruto said the government would not go back on its quest to reclaim the Mau Complex.
"We must protect all the 10 water towers to fight climate change and other environment-related challenges," Ruto said.
"The government would plant and regenerate trees in the forest to restore the degraded resources," the President said after attending a funeral service in Narok West constituency, Narok county.
In her statement on Thursday, CS Tuya said plans are underway to delineate forest boundaries and fence off the forest to deter future cutline violations.
She said this will be done in conjunction with state and non-state actors.
"Besides the Mau Forest Complex, the multi-agency security operation to end forest crimes that include encroachment, illegal logging and charcoal burning will be extended to all forest ecosystems across the country," Tuya said.
She encouraged Kenyans to support the government's forest restoration and conservation efforts by reporting any illegal activities via the toll-free hotline 0800-724-570.
