Moitalel Ole Kenta and Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu Lock Horns Over Mau Forest Evictions

Amidst the Mau forest recent evictions,  a battle rages between two political titans, Hon. Moitalel Ole Kenta and Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, as they find themselves in a heated exchange over the recent evictions of the Maasai community around the Mau forest. This clash, fueled by historical boundaries, political maneuvering, and accusations of ulterior motives, sparks a contentious debate on conservation efforts in the region.

Governor Ntutu, speaking while in Emanyatta orkiteng’ Mugie in Rotian cited that boundaries were established way before his birth, defending the recent evictions, emphasizing the necessity for Mau forest conservation. He points to Raila Odinga’s recent visit, where he advocated evacuating everyone from the forest for conservation purposes, stressing that this directive is not exclusive to any ethnic group but crucial for environmental preservation.

On the flip side, Hon. Moitalel Ole Kenta accuses Governor Ntutu of seeking Maasai eviction to assert Kalenjin supremacy. Kenta alleges that Ntutu approached President Ruto with this request, leading to boundary shifts and subsequent evictions in Olorkuto and Nkareta.

Tensions escalate further as Governor Ntutu downplays Kenta’s visit to affected families, claiming he brought insufficient foodstuffs. This infuriates Kenta, raising questions about the sincerity of Ntutu’s actions and adding another layer of animosity to the volatile situation.

He further criticizes Ntutu’s selective distribution of food aid, noting that while Ntutu provided assistance to Kalenjin evictees in Saptet, Sagamian, Nkaroni, Nkoben, and Olmekenyu camps, he has neglected to support the displaced Maasai families. This raises questions about selective humanitarian efforts based on ethnic lines, intensifying the political and social complexities surrounding the evictions.

A significant point of contention arises as Kenta questions the timing of the evictions, noting that the Maasai were not evicted during President Uhuru’s tenure. He labels these actions as malicious, questioning the fairness and impartiality of the evictions under the current administration.