President William Ruto has announced a Sh2.6 billion compensation package for 13,000 people evicted from the Mau Forest, with each beneficiary set to receive Sh200,000 as the government moves to close the long-running dispute over their displacement.
Speaking in Sogoo, Narok South, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Ruto said the payment marked the final phase of efforts to address the grievances linked to the Mau Forest evictions. He said the money would be disbursed immediately and urged those affected to prepare to receive the funds.
“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 also announced that restrictions placed on land belonging to residents whose farms were outside the Mau Forest had been removed.
Ruto said some residents had been unable to fully use or transact on their farms after restrictions were imposed during the process of issuing title deeds for land within the Mau Forest.
He said he had instructed the relevant ministry the previous week to lift the restrictions, allowing affected residents to resume farming, conduct business and undertake transactions involving their land.
“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,” Ruto said.
Title deeds by September
Ruto further promised that residents in the area would receive title deeds in September, asking them to prepare for his return to oversee the process.
He said he wanted every person on the list to receive proof of ownership and return home with a title deed.
“Mwezi huu wa tisa, nataka nifike hapa na title deeds zenu; kila mtu aende nyumbani na title deed yake,” he said.
The President described the compensation, lifting of land restrictions and planned issuance of title deeds as the final steps towards resolving the Mau Forest land dispute.
“Leo nimefika hapa, kama hatua ya mwisho. Hii ndiyo sasa awamu ya mwisho ya kufunga chapter ya mambo ya Mau,” he said.
The announcement comes after years of efforts by successive governments to address the resettlement and compensation of people affected by evictions from the Mau Forest while protecting the forest and its role as a critical water tower.
Ruto said the Sh2.6 billion payout would give the affected families an opportunity to reorganise their lives after years of uncertainty.