On 14 October 2021, Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko appeared before the Senate Committee on Security to discuss the recent murder of environmentalist Joannah Stutchbury.
Speaking in a virtual meeting, Tobiko cautioned leaders against politicizing land grabbing in Kiambu Forest Reserve, urging them to support the government in calming tensions.
“I would hope and pray that we can count on you for support as Parliament and you shall keep politics out in this matter,” he said.
Tobiko also updated the committee on the progress of the investigation into Stutchbury’s murder, stating that his office has been working closely with the investigation agencies to get to the bottom of the matter.
He revealed that authorities suspect that Stutchbury’s death is linked to the grabbing of the Kiambu forest reserve, with nearly the whole of the reserve having been grabbed and substantial parts settled upon in disregard of the law.
Dr. Paula Kahumbu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Wildlife Conservation Alliance Kenya, also spoke during the session, urging the government to revoke the grabbed parcel of Kiambu forest reserve and revisit the Hansard report to identify grabbed land in the area.
