Residents of a disputed 34-acre section of Ngong Forest will not be ejected by the government until a Cabinet resolution is reached.
This assurance came from Dr. Deborah Barasa, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, during a meeting with a House Committee.
CS Barasa provided the assurance to the Committee on Implementation regarding the status of House resolutions on the matter.
The meeting, led by Hon. Raphael Wanjala, focused on the progress of implementing the Report from the Departmental Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. This report addressed a public petition concerning alleged demolition of houses and re-possession of land within Lang’ata Constituency.
One key recommendation in the report was that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry should stop issuing threats to residents of developments within the 53.68 hectares, as the excision of this area followed the law.
Regarding this resolution, the CS informed the Committee that neither Ministry staff nor Kenya Forest Service officers had issued verbal notices or threats about repossessing encroached sections of Ngong Road Forest Reserve since the House resolution was made.
The House had also upheld the Committee’s recommendation that residents, owners, or proprietors of developments within the 34 acres and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry should negotiate an amicable solution for peaceful coexistence.
In relation to this resolution, CS Barasa told the lawmakers that after receiving 148 petitions on the land, the Ministry conducted a comprehensive review of all cases. They compiled a report with recommendations, which has since been presented to Cabinet for review.
She noted that forest management had engaged the residents, adding that they were now living harmoniously with government agencies.
“All public forests are managed by the government for public good for present and future generations. It is the responsibility of the government to maintain and protect the integrity of public forests including the creation of institutions. Furthermore, the FCMA Cap 385 provides for Community Forest Associations for Members of public around all public forests,” she submitted.
The House further resolved that the law relating to de-gazettement should comply with Section 34 of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016.
This resolution affects inhabitants of the 34 acres occupied by KMA Estate, Lang’ata Gardens Estate, Lang’ata View Estate, Shalom Estate, St Mary’s Hospital, Forest Edge View Estate, Lang’ata Women Prison, the Police Dog Unit, Bomas of Kenya, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, and ICIPE. The resolution aims to support the National Government’s housing agenda and prevent further encroachment of Ngong Road Forest through land allocation and surrender between government departments.
While assuring that no member of the public would be harassed, she welcomed the residents, owners, and proprietors within the 34-acre zone to foster a peaceful existence with the Ministry and its agencies.
“After the advice from Parliament no threats from government or the Kenya Forest Service have been issued to the residents, and normalcy has been achieved. The next steps and in accordance with the law is to engage the residents through public participation more so after concurrence from the Cabinet as per the Cabinet Memorandum submit,” she told the legislators.
