KENYA: Outrage on plan to excise forest
Copyright 2001 The East African Standard (Nairobi)
November 10, 2001
By Marceline Nyambala
There was public outrage yesterday over the planned excision of 170,000 acres of prime public forest land for settlement of squatters.
Speaking at an East Africa Wild Life Society (EAWLS) organised public debate at the National Museums of Kenya , Nairobi, groups and individuals expressed opposition to the latest Kenya Gazette supplement giving authority for the excision.
Ministers and Permanent Secretaries for Environment and Lands were invited to the forum but sent apologies.
The Gazette notice dated October 19, 2001 said the affected land covers 13 forests totalling 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres). It was signed by the Minister for Environment, Mr Noah Katana Ngala.
The affected forests are Mt Kenya, Kapsaret and Naboki in Uasin Gishu; Eastern's Mau, Mt Londiani and Molo in Nakuru, South Nandi and Northern Tinderet in Nandi.
Others are South Eastern and Western Mau surrounded by Kericho, Bomet and Nakuru, Marmanet in Laikipia and Nakuru and Western Mau in Kericho.
Dagoretti MP, Mrs Beth Mugo, called for a public demonstration against the plan. Mugo said Kenyans should not just sit in silent indignation.