Ruto announces Sh200,00 for each Mau evictee families
He recalled that in 2023, the government paid Sh300,000 each to 2,000 families living in tents inside the Mau Forest to enable them to leave the water tower and acquire alternative land.
President William Ruto has announced the payment of Sh2.6 billion to 13,000 families evicted from the Mau Forest in Narok six years ago, bringing to an end a long-running resettlement dispute translating to an average of Sh200,000 per family.
Speaking at Sogoo in Narok South Constituency on Wednesday, during the final day of his two-day tour of Narok County, President Ruto said each beneficiary had received Sh200,000 through M-Pesa to enable the families to restart their lives away from the Mau water tower.
The president said the latest payment was part of government efforts to permanently resolve the Mau Forest question, which has remained a contentious political and environmental issue for years.
“We are today officially closing the long and painful chapter of people who were removed from the Mau Forest, which will now be managed by the County Government of Narok,” Ruto said.
He recalled that in 2023, the government paid Sh300,000 each to 2,000 families living in tents inside the Mau Forest to enable them to leave the water tower and acquire alternative land.
Ruto accused politicians of repeatedly exploiting the Mau issue for political gain without offering practical solutions.
“Many politicians have talked of the Mau question but I talked of the Mau answer. This is why we are here today closing this chapter,” he said.
The President also announced that the government had purchased 5,800 acres of land to settle families who have been squatting on property previously owned by the family of former Provincial Commissioner Isaiah Cheluget.
He said the government was processing title deeds for residents after completing the acquisition of the Cheluget farm.
Sh1.2billion university investment
During the tour, Ruto announced Sh1.2 billion for the construction of Johana Ng’eno University in Emurua Dikirr Constituency.
The President laid the foundation stone for the institution, saying it would expand access to higher education while creating employment and investment opportunities for residents.
“You told me, as residents of Emurua Dikirr, that you want a university. Today, I have brought Sh1.2 billion to construct the university that will be named after our brother Johana Ng’eno,” he said.
Ruto also laid the foundation stone for the Trans Mara East Kenya Medical Training College hostels, which he said would boost healthcare training and contribute to improved medical services in the region.
Warning on violence
At the Mamboleo Modern Market, which will accommodate nearly 500 traders, the President warned against violence and criminality, saying the government would take action against individuals involved in acts of disorder.
“We want peace in this area. We want unity among the people here so that we can plan and pursue development together. We do not want hostility, conflict or chaos,” he said.
Ruto handed over the Emurua Dikirr Modern Market to small-scale traders, including Mama Mboga, saying the facility was part of his administration’s commitment to supporting informal businesses.
He also launched construction of the 18-kilometre Mogondo-Cheramgoi-Mogor-Soit road, which he said would improve connectivity and unlock economic opportunities.
Ruto defends record
On politics, Ruto challenged his critics to prepare to account for their development record ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He maintained that his administration had delivered at least 80 per cent of the pledges contained in its 2022 campaign manifesto, arguing that voters would judge leaders by their development record rather than political slogans.
“Kenyans will elect leaders based on their development record. Sloganeering will not make Kenyans vote for them. They have a long way to go,” he said.
Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu and several leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, praised the President for what they described as the fulfilment of his 2022 campaign promises.
Ntutu singled out the resettlement of Mau Forest evictees, construction of modern markets, affordable housing and road projects as evidence of the government’s development record.
