300 Kenyans Evicted From Baringo Forest

Over 300 farmers from Baringo County were evicted from Koibatek forest farms on Wednesday as part of the government’s campaign to secure forest land. The move comes after Environment CS Soipan Tuya announced an operation to prevent forest encroachment and illegal logging across the country.

In a video, hundreds of families gathered in the forest to discuss their next steps after the eviction. They vowed to hold protests to end what they see as government “harassment.”

“We will not be silenced by the government,” one representative said. “We agree that we will take to the streets and continue our fight until our grievances are acknowledged.”

The incident comes as the government continues to evict squatters from forest land. President William Ruto has ordered the immediate eviction of people living in Mau Forest, saying the government will not negotiate with illegal settlers. He has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the country’s water towers, especially the Mau Forest.

“Of the ten water towers we have in Kenya, the Mau Forest is the most important,” he said on October 1, 2023. “Those who are already in the forest should leave immediately because we are putting up a fence. And it is not a request.”

Following the orders, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan oversaw the operation, evicting 3,000 families from the forest.