BY Tagawah
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen's house is among illegal structures that will be demolished in the ongoing evictions of more tan 15,000 squatters from Embobut Forest. Murkomen confirmed that
already one of his own houses has
been burnt down. Kenya Forest Service zonal manager Alfred Nyaswabu said the four bedroomed house near Sitaat trading centre is in the forest but it is yet to be demolished.
Murkomen has hit out at the
government over the manner in which it had carried out the evictions in the forest. His family is part of the Sengwer community that claims the right to live in the forest. The senator attended a leaders meeting in Iten town yesterday where he commended the government for using Sh1.2 billion to compensate families being removed from the
forest. However, he said they are opposed to burning of homes in the water tower. "We think burning of houses is primitive and should not happen. There are more creative and modern
ways of demolishing structures other than burning," Murkomen said. He said they will work with all leaders and institutions to ensure those being removed from the forest are not
frustrated and subjected to suffering. Murkomen said the loca leaders have asked those in the forests to move out but the government should also help
them ressettle in new locations. He said children who are among those evicted should also be supported to resume learning in schools in the region.
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