The Maasai Council of Elders in Narok County has opposed the government’s move to lift up a caveat that was launched to protect Mau forest.
Speaking in Narok County, the elders pointed out that should the caveat be lifted then conservation efforts in the water catchment area would fail.
Led by their Chairman Keelena Ole Nchoe the elders faulted the government for not protecting the Mau forest like it does to other forests such as the Aberdares.
Ole Nchoe noted that the Mau ecosystem is serving Kenya and Tanzania who heavily rely on rivers flowing from the Mau. He called on the government to halt the tea zone proposal and have meeting with various stakeholders to come up with a solution.
Another elder Joseph Ole Kaaria noted that the Mau has always been used as a political tool for campaign and called on the deputy president to stop interfering with the forest. He cautioned that Mau issues have always been sensitive adding that it would be unfortunate for the communities to engage in clashes during the election period if the caveat is lifted.
The elders stated that those living in the forest should move out of the forest and in turn be compensated to save the ecosystem.
