The proposed de-gazettement of public forest land in Turbo (Maanzini Block), Mt. Elgon (Chebyuk Settlement Scheme), and Shiru/Shiviringa in Kakamega Forest is facing resistance after the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining raised concerns, demanding to know the motive behind the plan.
In a meeting held today between the lawmakers, the National Lands Commission and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the MPs led by Hon. Vincent Musyoka, Committee Chairperson raised concerns about the intended de-gazettement of the said land measuring approximately 6,708 hectares. They cited concerns over environmental impact, the government’s tree-planting initiative and the efforts on wildlife conservation.
Hon. Charity Kathambi, MP Njoro questioned why the Government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry was pushing the agenda at a time when Kenya was struggling to actualize the 15 billion tree planting projects spearheaded by H.E. the President. Similar sentiments were shared by Hon. Leo Wamuthende, MP Mbeere North and Hon. Joseph Emathe, MP Turkana Central.
“We are not for this de-gazettement, de-gazettement will increase speculation, people will go for this land and this will affect the biodiversity and the animal species living in these forests. One of our roles as Parliament is to protect the constitution”, said Hon. Wamuthende.
“The National Lands Commission in their report have warned us saying that if we allow this de-gazettement, we shall be opening a pandorus box and the same will be extended to the Abadares, Mau and other forests, this will endanger our water towers, just like the National Lands Commission said, we must protect our forests”, said Hon. Emathe.
The National Lands Commission in their document said that the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Board had approved the de-gazettement without involving them. The CEO of the National Lands Commission Ms. Kabale Tache Arero said that it was only the National Lands Commission that was mandated to protect public land and not the Ministry. “KFS Board gave consent but never consulted the National Lands Commission. Consequently we have never visited the said areas”.
However, the PS in the State Department for Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi informed the Committee that the three forests have already been encroached for settlement and the Government intends to stop further encroachment, set up clear boundaries and fence the forest land.
“In Kakamega, the Shiru/Shiviringa forest land has people residing there, this people were removed 40 years ago and resettled but are still there with no title deeds. They occupy land they have no title deed, I therefore ask that this Committee visit the area to see the truth”, said PS Mugambi.
Committee session Chair Hon. Yakub Adow, MP Bura directed that the Ministry plans for a stakeholders visit in the company of the House Committee for a fact-finding mission in the mentioned forest covers.
By Anthony Solly
