William Ruto announces Mau Forest resettlement funds and Narok development

President William Ruto has announced a significant financial package to resolve long-standing disputes regarding the Mau Forest. The government has released funds totaling between Sh2.6 billion and Sh3.2 billion to assist 13,000 individuals who were previously evicted from the forest. Each affected person is set to receive Ksh200,000 to facilitate their resettlement in alternative areas.

To prevent future encroachment, the President stated that the Mau Forest will be managed as government land and plans to fence off the entire area. He also announced the lifting of a caveat on land bordering the forest, allowing owners to resume agricultural activities, and promised to issue title deeds to families living on the forest borders.

In addition to the resettlement measures, President Ruto announced several development projects in Narok County. This includes the allocation of Ksh1.2 billion for the construction of a new university in Emurua Dikirr, named in honor of the late MP Johana Ng’eno. The President also committed to constructing a new Class B international road linking Emurua Dikirr to the Rironi-Mau Summit corridor, with construction expected to launch in October.