Residents of Narok County are optimistic that the nomination of Ms. Soipan Tuya as the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Environment and Forestry will facilitate conserving Maasai Mau forest and the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
The residents observed that the Mau Forest and Maasai Mara game reserve are great resources in the county and should be guarded passionately.
Julius Nkoitoi, a boda boda operator in the county thanked President William Ruto for appointing a Maasai woman to be in charge of the environment saying they are confident she will restore the Mau complex.
“Maasai Mau forest is safe under the hands of Ms. Tuya. We feel proud that the President has entrusted one of our own with the forest matters,” said Nkoitoi.
Another boda boda operator Jackson Nkinayi said Ms. Tuya’s past development record when she served as Narok County Woman representative is a proof that she will do a recommendable job for this nation.
“We know Ms. Tuya as a worker. She is still young, energetic and learned. We are proud to have one of our own in such a big post,” reiterated Nkinayi.
His sentiments were echoed by Daniel Kilesi who said Ms. Tuya was born and brought up in Narok hence understands the emerging challenges in matters of environment.
She is a role model to the typical Maasai girl who undergoes many challenges while growing up, he said.
Natasha Moitai, a resident of Narok County expressed her gratitude to the President saying the Maasai women are mostly underrated as they are considered same as children.
Ms. Tuya will take over from Keriako Tobiko, who also hails from the Maasai community in Kajiado County.
The Maasai Mau forest had greatly been invaded before the former Jubilee administration evicted over 4200 families from the forestland in the year 2018 and 2019.
The invasion of the forestland affected the Maasai Mara ecosystem that depends on River Mara, that originates from the forest.
