President William Ruto has announced that 13,000 people who were evicted from the Mau Forest will receive Ksh2.6 billion in compensation as the government moves to resolve the longstanding land dispute.
Ruto said each beneficiary will receive Ksh200,000, with the payments expected to begin immediately.
Speaking in Sogoo, Narok South, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the President said the compensation marked the final phase of the government’s efforts to address the grievances arising from the Mau Forest evictions.
“Leo nimefika hapa na shilingi bilioni mbili na milioni mia sita. Kulipa hawa watu elfu kumi na tatu. Kila mtu achukue elfu mia mbili yake aende nyumbani ajipange na apange maisha yake,” Ruto said.
The President urged those on the list of beneficiaries to prepare to receive the funds, saying the government was keen to conclude the compensation process.
Mau land restrictions lifted
Ruto also announced the removal of restrictions that had been placed on land belonging to residents whose farms were located outside the Mau Forest.
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He said some residents had been affected by restrictions imposed during the process of regularising land ownership and issuing title deeds to land within and around the Mau Forest.
According to the President, he directed the relevant ministry the previous week to remove the restrictions, allowing affected residents to resume farming activities and conduct transactions involving their parcels.
“Sasa ile Curtilage ilikuwa imewekwa mashamba ya watu hapa, yale yako nje ya Mau Forest; sasa hiyo curtilage imeondolewa, ili wananchi mnaweza kuendelea na biashara yenu, mnaendelea na mashamba yenu,” he said.
The move is expected to ease concerns among residents whose land had been affected by the restrictions despite their parcels falling outside the Mau Forest boundary.R
Ruto promises title deeds in September
Ruto further promised that the government would issue title deeds to residents who qualify for land ownership documents in the area in September.
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He said he would return to the region to oversee the issuance of the title deeds and ensure beneficiaries leave with proof of ownership.
“Mwezi huu wa tisa, nataka nifike hapa na title deeds zenu; kila mtu aende nyumbani na title deed yake,” Ruto said.
The President said the government was determined to conclude the process and provide residents with documentation confirming ownership of their land.
Final step’ in Mau Forest dispute
Ruto described the compensation, removal of land restrictions and planned issuance of title deeds as the final steps in addressing the longstanding Mau Forest land question.
“Leo nimefika hapa, kama hatua ya mwisho. Hii ndiyo sasa awamu ya mwisho ya kufunga chapter ya mambo ya Mau,” he said.
The Mau Forest land question has remained a longstanding and politically sensitive issue, involving forest conservation, land ownership, evictions and compensation for affected communities.
The latest announcements signal the government’s push to bring the matter to a close through compensation and formalisation of land ownership for eligible residents.
