FORESTS GRABED IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY

FOREST GRABBED. Kirinyaga County government has used over 300,000/- fencing its 2 county forests in Kirinyaga County avert land grabbing. The two Kerugoya urban forest and Karimandu forest in Kanyekiini location were fenced after encroachment for years in the 12.9Ha. According to environment CEC Dr Joseph Muthike they fenced to protect the indigenous rain forest which is there and also exotic trees that are there. He also said that the forest has been threatened for a longtime by encroachment and also land grabbing which is very prime. Muthike went on to say that the county government is keen in conserving the forest and also rehabilitate farmed patches within the forest areas. He said that fencing is going to be done in phases whereby 2017 it will be completed so as to protect it from land grabbers and the encroachers. “When we took over the 2 forests that are in Kerugoya town, we came to learn that there are some private developers who already had encroached the forest, we are fencing to avoid more encroachment so as to conserve and also rehabilitate them” said Muthike. The CEC also added that there are individuals who are claiming ownership of pieces of land within the forest saying the county government is not recognizing the ownership unless they have authentic documents or allotment letters. HE also said anyone who disputes the fencing of the forest exercise in protecting it present valid title deeds from the lands ministry where they will seek guidance from the National Lands commission. Muthike said that the final plan will be to convert the forest into an eco-tourism site and manage it with the local community and also do a forest management plan so as to conserve the rich species diversity of the forest. “As the ministry we want to make the forests into eco-tourism sites and manage them with local community, also conserve the rich species“ he added. In the near future, the ministry also has plans to construct board walks so that there is minimum impact by people who will be visiting the forest for education purposes. He said that since the ministry has received zero allocation of funds in the 2014/2015 budget in conserving these sensitive urban echo forest system ,he is appealing partnership with conservative bodies to partner with the county government in protecting and restoring the forest. Ends…