That is the price we pay for imperial presidents who can issue decrees in this case land and titles which cannot be forcefully acquired by government unless by compensation.
Remember Kaa Ngumu's words "Hiyo ploti nilipewa na president..."
And I guess this was the cheaper option as the goons would have run to court for constitutional interpretation (Presidential decree) and Amos [Smiley] Wako would have swooped in with nolle prosequi terminating all the cases leaving the government with costs and still paying out compensation for the FOREST.
And why is Wangari Maathai quiet on this issue she should be on rooftops. Ama the goal was the Peace price now she is content
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children" Native American Proverb