Mau land saga: House team summons three CSs

Three Cabinet Secretaries have been summoned to appear before the Lands Committee in Parliament to explain the Mau land saga.

Keriako Tobiko (Enviroment), Faridah Karoney (Lands) and Najib Balala (Tourism) will be required to appear next week before the House team next week.

Memusi Kanchory (Kajiado Central MP) and Makali Muli (Kitui Central MP) said Parliament wants to establish the genesis of events that have led to the Mau land scuffle.

Speaking in Kajiado Town on Saturday, Memusi said Parliament wants to know how Mau land was “dished out” to individuals who later sold subdivided portions to other Kenyans.

According to him, there is no reason to be chasing the ‘small fish’ without establishing who was behind the initial sale of the Mau land.

CS Tobiko is expected to shed light on the damage caused by invaders in the Mau region and what the government is doing to save the forest.

“We also want to question Tourism CS to explain his involvement (if any) in the Mau land saga and if the ministry had raised any issue over the invasion before,” Memusi said.

The two MPs spoke after the launch of Kajiado Central National Government Constituencies Development Fund Strategic Plan.

They claim that the Mau land issue has been politicized and made to look as if it is a matter concerning two communities.

Makali Muli (Kitui Central MP) said it is a pity to watch the degradation of the Mau Forest as the country’s leadership stays mum.

“This is not about Kenya.This is an international matter that calls for both local and international intervention.

“Our leaders from both the political divide should put their politics aside and put their heads together to save the Mau,” he said.

Earlier on, Memusi had said the on-going eviction exercise should be humane even as Parliament interrogates the matter.

“We want to have a lasting solution to this issue of Mau. We do not want the matter to recur every time the country is headed for an election,” said Memusi.

Memusi said that Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet Senator) and his Narok counterpart Olekina Ledama should not waste their energy by appearing to politicize the Mau land issue.

He called on the two leaders to seek a common ground that will assist the government.

“We are aware of the suffering of those being evicted, but again order has to be put in place and will require an input of all Kenyans,” said Memusi.