The Ministry of Environment has announced its intention to revoke all land title deeds held by individuals and organizations in gazetted forests, deeming them expressly illegal.
Following the decision, deserving entities engaged in noble activities such as research within gazetted forests nationwide will have their titles converted into special use licenses, to be issued by the Kenya Forest Service.
“For deserving entities involved in noble activities including research in gazetted forests across the country, their titles shall be converted into special use licenses to be issued by Kenya Forest Service,” read a statement from Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Cabinet Secretary, Soipan Tuya made this announcement during her visit to Ololua Forest in Kajiado County, where she addressed encroachment concerns raised by the local community and area leadership, spearheaded by Senator Seki Lenku and Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo.
Fight Against Land Grabbing
The move marks a step in government’s efforts to combat illegal land acquisition and safeguard forest reserves across the country.
“By revoking unlawfully obtained land titles, the Ministry aims to protect the integrity of gazetted forests and preserve them for future generations,” she said.
The declaration coincides with heightened community agitation over purported encroachments on Ololua Forest.
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Local inhabitants, supported by political leaders such as Senator Ole Lenku and Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, have united in opposing what they perceive as a land grab of approximately 50 acres of forested land.
This move comes after reports surfaced earlier this year, inciting protests and demands for transparency regarding land allocation procedures.
KFS Denies Claims of Ololua Land Grabbing
Nevertheless, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has adamantly refuted these assertions, affirming that no individual has been granted land within Ololua Forest.
“Following public concerns regarding alleged grabbing of a parcel of Oloolua Forest in Kajiado County, L.R no. 23269, Kenya Forest Service seeks to make a clarification on the matter,” read KFS statement in part.
In a statement addressing the allegations, KFS clarified that the contested land is currently occupied by four government agencies.
“The portion of land in question is currently occupied by four (4) government agencies. There is absolutely no individual who has been allocated land within Ololua forest,”
“The ownership of the parcel of land remains under the jurisdiction of Kenya Forest Service. Any insinuation to the contrary is misleading and meant to create confusion and dissent among members of the public.” stated KFS statement.
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The Ministry’s initiative to revoke land titles within gazetted forests according to the Environment Cabinet Secretary seeks to address not only the immediate concerns over alleged land grabbing but also the broader issue of sustainable forest management.
Through the annulment of unlawfully acquired land titles, the government endeavors to ensure the long-term conservation of Kenya’s forests, essential for biodiversity preservation, climate regulation, and the welfare of local communities.
