A video of Deputy President Dr William Ruto that is doing rounds on social media, where the DP talks about the Maasai Mau Forest has yet again sparked a debate among Kenyans amid government’s standoff on Maasai Mau Forest evictions.

In the video which was recorded in June last year, the DP is heard talking tough about the evictions.

Ruto who was speaking at Sogoo High School in Narok South where part of the forest is located asked those who are living beyond the cutline to move out saying environmental conservation was crucial for the country.

He also announced that those who are legal settlers will be issued with title deeds and 15 schools that were demolished in the 2005 eviction shall be rebuilding adding that the government has allocated Sh65Million for the project.

“Those who live inside the forest will be moved out. We have planted tea to separate the forest and the settlement area as we have to conserve our environment,” he said.

The video has just started doing rounds on social media as Rift Valley leaders call for Ruto’s intervention in the ongoing standoff but Ruto has hence remained mum on the issue.

Early this week, a group of leaders from the Rift Valley told President Uhuru Kenyatta to break his silence on the Mau complex evictions.

The order by Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to have nearly 50,000 people voluntarily leave the Mau or be forced out without compensation has angered some leaders, culminating in meetings.

Some families have already started leaving the forest voluntarily. 15 schools have also been closed down.