The Mau Forest evictions row has opened a new battlefront in the Jubilee Party, with two splinter groups trading barbs.
As lawmakers close to the Deputy President William Ruto targeted the Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko for sanctioning the evictions, the DP’s opponents accused him of sitting idly by while those who voted for him are inhumanely treated.
The Deputy President’s critics claim that he can use his position and influence in government to protect the thousands of residents who are being kicked out of the Mau to pave way for reforestation.
Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny said Ruto and his allies have forsaken members of the Kalenjin community at a time when they desperately need their help.
But, the Leader of Majority in the Senate, Kipchumba Murkomen claimed Environment CS Tobiko was to blame for the current predicament Mau residents have themselves in.
He accused the CS of insubordination of President Uhuru Kenyatta by issuing an “illegal directive.”
“Kutuny should be investigated together with CS Tobiko, they have political schemes,” said Murkomen, who also blamed the arrest of Emurua Dikir MP Johana Ngeno on orders fro political functionaries.
Addressing a news conference on Wednesday at Parliament Buildings, Murkomen said the 60-day eviction notice issued by Tobiko and the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya was illegal since it was not gazetted.
“The 60-day window period given by Tobiko together with Natembeya is illegal. The Cabinet has not yet made a decision on whether citizens residing in the area should move out,” said Murkomen.
Earlier, Kutuny said the the task force report on the Mau launched by the then Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2008 should be made public before any evictions are carried out.
