By Ben Leshau
Electrical fencing of the Masai Mau forest has begun
in earnest with the government managing to cover 15 of the targeted 30sq kms.
The fence is expected to keep off land speculators and restore the vital water
tower which was recovered from squatters and illegal occupants.
Work on the
fence began in January and is expected to be completed at the end of the year.
Narok County Deputy
County Commissioner Felix Kisalu said the local community was in full support
of the project unlike in the past where political interference was witnessed
sparking rebellion.
He said the security team in the area managed to conduct successful public
participation to sensitize locals living around the reclaimed forest on the
importance of conservation.
“We did adequate capacity building among the locals before we started the
fencing project. We resolved that the community conducts a supervised grass
cut-and-carry system for their livestock,” explained Mr Kisalu.
The reclaimed forest is now a protected area and livestock grazing had been
banned to protect the over 3 million indigenous trees planted in November 2019.
Kisalu further stated that the fencing of the Mau complex will change the political
narrative that politicians used to get political gains.
A total of 30,000 acres that were recovered after the evictions and its
regeneration is ongoing because of increased levels of rainfall witnessed over the
last two years.
Once fencing is complete, the government will install surveillance cameras
in five main entry points to ensure there will be no vandalism.
Kisalu expressed hope that the communities living around the forest will get
employment opportunities as the government aims at cultivating a tea zone and
other crops like avocados.
Homes around the Mau forest will also get power supply from electric fence for
their domestic use.