NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 4 — Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has ordered the revocation of title deeds issued to private entities and individuals within gazetted forests.
Speaking at the Ololua Forest on Wednesday, Tuya directed the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Alex Lemarkoko, to immediately begin revoking the illegal titles.
“We shall revoke all land title deeds held by individuals and organizations in gazetted forests,” she stated terming the documents “expressly illegal”.
Tuya noted that the government exclusively owns and manages gazetted forests through the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
She further stated that the only exemptions would be Public Organisations utilizing the land for the good of the country.
“For deserving entities involved in noble activities including research in gazetted forests across the country, their titles shall be converted into Special User Licenses as prescribed by law and issued by KFS,” she said.
Tuya had visited Ololua Forest in Kajiado County to ascertain claims of forest encroachment raised by members of the local Community Forest Association (CFA).
The CFA noted that the Child Welfare International Society, an organization claiming ownership of 66 acres inside Ololua Forest, could not verify the authenticity of their ownership documentation.
The Association further expressed concerns over the erection of illegal perimeter walls in the forest by unknown entities.
Tuya, alongside the residents, brought down the walls expressing dissatisfaction over the complete disregard for wildlife.
“As a conservation standard, we do not erect concrete fences around forests and other ecosystems due to resulting adverse effects on biodiversity including impediment if free movement of wildlife,” she stated
Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi, Kajiado Senator Senki Lenku, and Kajiado North Member of Parliament Onesmus Ngogoyo accompanied the Cabinet Secretary.
By Minah Mahero
