President William Ruto has announced that members of the Maasai community in Narok County will be allowed to reclaim part of the disputed Kedong Ranch land, which has been at the centre of long-standing protests and legal battles.
Speaking in Suswa, Narok County, on Tuesday, the president revealed that the government had resolved to allocate additional acreage to the locals. The contested land hosts key regional infrastructure, including the Naivasha Inland Dry Port.
''When I was here in Suswa, you told me that you wanted part of that land to be given back to the community. Initially, the government had allocated to you 4,000 acres; we will now allocate a further additional allocation of 6,000 acres,'' Ruto announced.
Further, the president announced that the beneficiaries of the land allocations will receive their title deeds in one week.
"I will issue the title deeds after being supplied the list of beneficiaries. In one week, the title deeds will be here with you,'' he said.
Ruto on Mau Forest
The president also announced that the national government had officially handed over the management of the contested Mau Forest to the Narok County government to oversee its management and conservation efforts.
Furthermore, Ruto announced that the government had allocated funds for the construction of a perimeter fence around the Mau Forest to keep off invaders.
He revealed that the process will see the construction of the first 100 kilometres in the first phase to help protect the important water catchment area.
''As part of the efforts to end the unending politics in the Mau Forest, I have today come here with a title deed of the forest to officially hand over to the County Government of Narok. This will ensure that the controversy around the forest comes to an end," Ruto stated.
''The forest will now be under the administration of the Narok County Government for the sake of the locals here and the entire nation. I have also solicited funds for the construction of a fence all around the forest to keep off invaders," he directed.
He also announced that the government will not allow locals back in the forest, contrary to the allegations that had been levelled against his administration.
Mau Forest has been a subject of historical land feuds that have seen the loss of lives due to the historical standoffs on its boundaries.
