5,000 kicked out in operations that started in Kibaki era

What you need to know:

  • Agreement signed between the KFS and four community groups to conserve the Mount Kenya water catchment area.
  • Evictions to be extended to Narok County, where hundreds of squatters have invaded the Maasai Mara Forest.

Thousands of illegal settlers have been evicted from forests across the country to pave way for the rehabilitation of water towers.

Most of the squatters were kicked out of the expansive Mau Forest, vast swathes of which have been destroyed.

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) deputy director Esau Omollo said the evictions, which have affected about 5,000 people, started during the Kibaki era.

Mr Omollo was speaking at Kimunye village in Kirinyaga County on Tuesday during the signing of an agreement between the KFS and four community groups to conserve the Mount Kenya water tower. He said the government was determined to stop wanton destruction of forests.

He said the evictions would be extended to Narok County, where hundreds of squatters have invaded the Maasai Mara Forest.

FOREST CONSERVATION

Saying the government wanted to increase forest cover from the current 6.9 per cent to 10 per cent by 2030, Mr Omollo urged communities to work with KFS officials.

He also advised farmers to plant trees for commercial purposes on their land to end dependence on gazetted forests.

“It is a criminal offence for anyone to interfere with forest resources. To avoid arrest and prosecution, farmers should plant their own trees on their land if they want to earn more money to improve their living standards,” he said.

County ecosystem conservator Francis Misonge congratulated residents for actively taking part in forest conservation.

“I would like to congratulate residents for reporting cases of forest destruction promptly. The glory of Mount Kenya Forest has now been restored because of the cooperation between the KFS and residents,” he said.