Residents of Saboti ward in Trans Nzoia County have accused the government of inhumane treatment following the eviction of more than 500 families residing at Sosio forest on grounds of encroachment on public land.
The eviction operation which was led by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU) officers saw houses of the residents demolished on Monday following an order by county commissioner Sam Ojwang.
The residents who were led by Luke Naibei accused the government of unfairness saying they have resided in the area since President Daniel Moi's regime.
“This is an act of injustice by the government which is supposed to protect the lives and property of its citizens and not destroy them. Think about the plight of the children and the women who are now homeless,” Naibei said.
Another resident argued that the government is being hypocritical as they were evicted to pave the way for building a school on land was reserved for the forest.
“The government has posted chiefs and teachers in schools within this land. How come now the land is being claimed to be forest land by the very government,” Apostle Moses Ndiema quips.
Mr. Ojwang however said the government will not rescind its decision saying the settlement of the families on the land is a threat to the Mt. Elgon water tower which has been depleting owing to human settlement.
“Law enforcement agencies are obligated to safeguard all gazette zones which include forests. The eviction was conducted procedurally with the prior issuance of a three months eviction notice,” the commissioner noted.
