Vice President Rigathi Gachagua announced on Saturday that the government was working on lifting the reservation on land in Mauche, Nakuru County and its environs.

Launching the Kathambi Chepkwony Foundation, the Vice President said that the hundreds of families in the region would have the right to title deeds that would enable them to pursue their economic activities, which in turn would stimulate growth.

This reservation was issued by the East African Court of Justice, which stopped the parcelling of land that was part of the Mau Forest in a legal dispute between the Kenyan government and the Ogiek community, whose homeland the forest is.

“We (the government) have promised to lift the reservation. I want to underline President William Ruto’s commitment that this issue will be resolved once and for all,” he said.

In these remarks, Gachagua announced that a meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the territories affected by the reservation would be convened to resolve the matter.

“The papers you have do not contribute to wealth creation. The property deeds enable you to take out loans for businesses,” the vice president said.

The Vice President praised the preparatory work of the national government and its officials on the ground to engage communities with the aim of maintaining peace.

Gachagua reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza government will not tolerate any form of incitement against other communities.

“I would like to encourage our security teams to continue to remain vigilant and ensure that communities live in peace,” said DP Gachagua.

The Vice President’s latest comments come after former Cabinet Secretary for Lands Zachariah Njeru announced in September 2023 that the state had lifted a 20-year-old lock-down on land bordering the Mau Forest.

Conversely, President William Ruto threatened on July 15 that Kenya would withdraw from the East African Court of Justice if the court in Arusha did not lift a reservation regarding the Mau Forest.

The president said the court has until December 2024 to comply with his request.

“It is unacceptable that citizens live as squatters through no fault of their own because there is a court that does not respect the rights of other people,” he defended the decision.