President Ruto Issues Ultimatum to EACJ, Threatens Kenya’s Exit
President William Ruto has announced that Kenya may exit the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) if the court does not lift the caveat on Mau Forest. Speaking in Kuresoi, he emphasized that the restriction has forced local residents to live as squatters on their own land. Kenya has given the court until December 2024 to resolve the issue, failing which it will withdraw its membership.
The Caveat Issue
Ruto clarified that the completion of phase one of lifting the caveat, encompassing nearly 10,000 acres, was possible due to its location within Kenya. He mentioned that the regional court in Arusha had been delaying the process. He stated that the court must either lift the caveat or face Kenya’s withdrawal from the court.
Potential Withdrawal
If the issue remains unresolved by year-end, Ruto assured Kuresoi residents that he would sign the necessary documents to withdraw Kenya from the court. He defended this decision, stating that it is unacceptable for citizens to live as squatters due to no fault of their own and because of a court that disregards their rights.
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Commitment to the Rule of Law
Ruto emphasized that one should not interpret Kenya’s potential withdrawal from the EACJ as a rejection of the rule of law. He expressed concern that citizens are suffering because of individuals with ill intentions towards other Kenyans.
Background on the Caveat
In 2023, Kenya lifted part of the two-decade-old caveat affecting nearly 10,000 acres of the Mau Forest. The caveat, initially imposed in 2001, covered 35,301 hectares across the Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Njoro, and Molo regions. The aim was to regulate human settlement as the local population expanded.
President Ruto Issues Ultimatum to EACJ, Threatens Kenya’s Exit
