Kenya under fire over forest evictions

The relationship between Kenya and the AU is being tested after the Jubilee administration failed to comply with an order to stop the eviction of 60 000 families who had illegally settled in the Mau forest. The African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR), an agency of the AU, has threatened to report Nairobi at the next ordinary session of the AU commission. The Nation reports that the commission in November gave the government 15 days to stop the process pending hearing and determination of complaints filed by the settlers. It also ordered the government to refrain from any action that could have interfered with or threatened the rights of the settlers. Nairobi refused to respond to the order and issued an edict warning the evictees against buying land within a 10km radius of the forest. The land is targeted for reclamation to restore a major water tower.