Over 2,000 Mau evictees return to Maasai Mau Forest over unpaid compensation
More than 2,000 people who say they were evicted from the Maasai Mau Forest on Thursday, September 17, 2026, returned to the area, citing the Government’s failure to pay them the compensation they say they were promised. The return has renewed anger among affected families who say they have waited for years for compensation while […]
Over two thousand individuals who claim they were evicted from the Maasai Mau Forest on September 17, 2026, have returned to the region, citing the government's failure to provide them with the compensation they were promised years ago. This resurgence of anger among affected families reflects their ongoing struggle without their former homes and farms.
David Koech explained that the community has persistently sought government intervention regarding the land dispute. "Our elderly, mothers, and young people have returned to discuss the government's payment for their compensation," Koech stated. He also mentioned that some individuals have passed away while awaiting resolution. "We still mourn the loss of our land, which has been under threat since 2005 until now, and we have not received any support," he said.
Viola Chepng'enoh expressed that families have been waiting for the promised compensation money, hoping for a confirmation message from President Ruto but still not receiving it. "We have endured and continued to hope for a message from Ruto, but we have not received the funds," she expressed. She questioned the duration families will continue living with this uncertainty.
"How long will we endure this situation? Will we endure this, our land, forever?" she pondered. This latest development follows weeks since President William Ruto announced a Ksh2.6 billion compensation package for 13,000 people affected by Maasai Mau Forest evictions on August 26, 2026. Ruto pledged that each beneficiary would receive Ksh200,000, promised to be paid immediately.
"I came here today with two billion shillings and six million shillings," Ruto declared. Josphen Sophiah explained that affected families have decided to return home after years of waiting. "Today, we have decided to return to our homes. There is no day left that we will be oppressed further," she said. Sophiah also addressed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki about remarks concerning the payments to the affected people.
"Ruto listened, we received the letter. Mr. Kithure, we are very pleased even though I am one of those who supported him," Sophiah said. "But you say that these are not the thirty-sixth people who have returned. Mr. Kithure, we are returning our land," she insisted. The return of the affected families highlights the government's handling of Mau Forest evictees and the discrepancy between compensation promises and what families claim they have received.
Ruto had described the August payment as the final phase of efforts to address the ongoing Mau Forest eviction issue. The affected families now demand that their grievances regarding compensation and the land dispute be resolved.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
