The government has rescinded its decision to close the 15 schools that have been at the center of the storm in the Mau forest.
This decision was announced on Tuesday, September 2, by Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui who stated that the decision was reached after wide consultations to enable the registered candidates in the school to sit their national exams.
Last week, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya had asserted that the schools had been put up illegally using state funds.
“It is true the funds used to construct the schools came from the Government. It should, however, be noted that headteachers who received this money legally were deceived into building the illegal schools on forest land,” he had said.
It is estimated that around Ksh60 million was used to construct those schools. Natembeya had alleged that unscrupulous school heads had colluded with community leaders and established the schools, which he says are not even registered with the ministry of education.
The reopened primary schools are; Kirobon, Senetwet, Kapsibilwo, Kitoben, Indianit, Kabarak, Noosogami, Chorwet, Ogilgei, Sebetet, Olabai, Koitabai, Chebirbelek, Chebetet, and Lelechwet.
“The Government considers these schools illegal structures that have not been mandated to take in pupils,” he was quoted.
This decision marks a temporary victory to the Rift Valley MPs, who have been on the forefront of opposing the government's initiative to flush out over 60,000 people that have made the forest their residence, in an effort to conserve the environment.
The move by CS Tobiko had caused anger and jitters in the political circles with many politicians from the region urging the people not to vacate the forests.
On Tuesday morning, Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno was arrested for allegedly inciting residents of the Mau not to vacate. He was in the company of 15 members of the County Assembly and his Chepalungu counterpart Gideon Koske.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen had also told the evictees to stay put, saying “there will be no eviction from Masai Mau Trust Land until President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks.”
“CS Tobiko who is conflicted has no moral authority to evict people against the law. We have asked Kenyans to stay put and our children to go to school like children of all other Kenyans!,” he tweeted.
Members of the National Assembly too had followed suit and cautioned Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to ensure that there is public participation by engaging the community leaders.
