President William Ruto in Narok/PCSPresident William Ruto has said the Mau Forest has been secured through the issuance of a title deed, pledging that the forest will no longer be used as a political issue.
Speaking during his development tour of Narok on Tuesday, Ruto said the government had taken steps to secure the forest while also issuing title deeds to residents who had been living in the surrounding areas.
“This Mau has been politicised for many years. I told you that Mau would no longer be politicised,” Ruto said.
“We have now issued a title deed for Mau; it belongs to the people of Narok County and has its own title deed. No one will set foot on Mau again."
Ruto said the government would continue protecting the forest, including through plans to put up a fence around it.
“Mau is secure. What we will continue doing is putting up a fence because Mau is important. It brings us rain and is important for the environment,” he said.
The President's remarks came during his first day of a two-day tour of Narok, where he launched and inspected several development projects and addressed residents on issues including infrastructure, electricity, agriculture and land.
He said the government had also issued title deeds to almost all residents who had been living in areas around the forest.
“Almost all the residents who were living here have been given their title deeds, and we have also issued a title deed for Mau,” he said.
Ruto also linked the government's land interventions in Narok to efforts to address what he described as historical injustices affecting communities in the region.
He cited the allocation of thousands of acres at Kedong to residents of Narok as part of the measures being undertaken.
“On Kedong, I have set aside 10,000 acres for the people of Narok, and you continue with your property,” Ruto said.
The President also referred to land allocation measures in Amboseli, saying the initiatives were part of a broader effort to address historical grievances over land ownership and access.
The Mau Forest has for years featured prominently in Kenya's environmental and political discussions, particularly because of its importance as a water tower and the long-running debate over settlement and conservation.
His comments also came against the backdrop of the government's broader development agenda in Narok.
During the tour, Ruto announced that construction of the Narok Airport was expected to be completed within two months, with the Sh677 million facility expected to improve air connectivity to the Maasai Mara and support tourism.
He also launched the Sh62 million Olposimoru Power Station in Narok West, which is expected to connect schools, trading centres and more than 300 households to electricity.
The President announced plans to invest an additional Sh2.8 billion to connect another 15,000 households across Narok to electricity.
