MPs approves excision of land from three forests to settle squatters Over 6,000 hectares excised for squatters. News 16 min ago

The excision of the public forest land follows a petition by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry who sought variation of boundaries of Turbo Forest (Manzini Area), Mount Elgon Forest (Chepyuk Phases II and III), and Kakamega Forest (Shiru/Shaviringa Settlement Schemes).“The committee further observed the need for strict adherence to constitutional and statutory requirements governing forest boundary variation, including public participation, environmental impact assessment, transparent beneficiary verification, and protection of the remaining forest areas,” Mr Musyoka said.

The committee observed that the settlement schemes under consideration were established by the government between the 1970s and 1990s to address historical cases of landlessness, displacement arising from public projects, settlement of squatters, and resettlement of communities and retired forest workers.