The Maasai Council of Elders has declared that evictions from Mukutani forest within Baringo County and subsequent demolition of a primary school were done according to law and should not be used for political mileage.
The elders have come to the defense of Chief Conservator of forests Mr Alex Lemarkoko stating that individuals who had encroached the forest were degrading an important water catchment area.
Through their spokesman Mr Kelenia Nchoe, the elders maintained that eviction of persons from Mukutani forest was aimed at protecting the natural water catchment area from further degradation due to unlawful logging, unregulated grazing and unsustainable agricultural activities.
Mr Nchoe affirmed that the Chief Conservator was merely discharging his official duties by overseeing evictions on gazetted forest land.
The elders lashed out at politicians for exploding the issue for political gain and urged them to allow Mr. Lemarkoko to carry out his duties in line with government policy and the law.
“Mr. Lemarkoko is a civil servant acting within the law. The law is clear on gazetted forest land and it must be respected if we are to conserve forests for the benefit of current and future generations,” said Nchoe.
He warned that politicizing the matter is an ingredient to fueling tensions and called upon the leaders accused of inciting the locals to desist and instead channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities.
“Forest land issues have become highly emotive in the need to seek clarity from the relevant offices rather than misleading the public,” advised Nchoe.
Mr. Nchoe who was accompanied by his deputy, Mr. Sironga Ole Iree, called on politicians to weigh their words before uttering them and to pursue lawful mechanisms to help address their concerns.
The elders’ remarks came days after Baringo county women representative, Florence Jamatiah accused Lemarkoko of evicting residents of Larumoru area and overseeing the demolition of a school allegedly allocated within a forest reserve.
By Emily Kadzo
