The Kenyan Forest Service (KFS) has dismissed reports alleging the grabbing of land within the Menengai Crater area in Nakuru County, stating that they are misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday November 7, KFS clarified that no part of the gazetted Menengai Forest has been grabbed. It also emphasized the boundaries in the forest are still intact and well demarcated.
“The service’s surveyors verified the boundaries and have confirmed that the area referenced in the online reports lies outside the gazette forest land,” the statement read in part.
According to KFS, the ongoing Forest Fencing Project in Menengai is a legitimate conservation initiative that is funded by the African Development Bank, through the GreenZones Development Support Project Phase II.
KFS noted that the project covers approximately 55 kilometers around 6,014 hectares of the forest land and aims at enhancing protection and conservation efforts.
The agency said that all the necessary procedures were conducted before the project began to ensure transparency and inclusivity. The procedures included public participation and stakeholder consultations.
The service also pointed out that the fencing project will help by improving safety for visitors and neighbouring communities, deterring encroachment and promoting sustainable forest management.
“KFS categorically refutes all the allegations of land grabbing and reiterates its unwavering commitment to conserving and protecting Kenya’s public forests in line with the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016,” KFS reiterated.
KFS further reassured their continued service to the public, through sustainable management and conservative practices, while also maintaining dedication to safeguarding the country’s forest resources.
