Emurrua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno arrested over Mau Forest eviction protest

Emurrua Dikirr MP Johanna Ngeno was on Tuesday arrested after leading protests over the second Mau Forest eviction.

The lawmaker was bundled into an awaiting police vehicle after a contingent of police officers clashed with a section of leaders from the Rift Valley.

MPs Brighton Yegon (Konoin) and Gideon Koskei (Chepalungu) as well as area MCAs were among those present.

A week ago, the government issued a 60-day ultimatum to over 10,000 people residing in the Mau Forest to vacate the area or be evicted.

A ten-member task-force was also appointed to come up with an elaborate plan to ensure that the second phase of the Mau eviction proceeds as planned.

The chairman of the team George Natembeya, who is also the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, further warned leaders against politicising the process.

Meanwhile, youth from Sierra Leone area as well as Kuresoi South and Narok North sub- counties have called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to break his silence over the Mau eviction.

Bett Sarsar from National Youth and Governance Kenya and his counterpart Mahiga Lewis allege that the presence of over 300 security officers is causing fear among school-going children.

“The children cannot be in school as the security officers continue to pitch camp in the area,” said Sarsar.

This is despite assurance that the pupils would continue with their studies as they prepare for the national exams.

Additional reporting from William Sawe