This archive report was first published on 17 November 2019.
On November 17, 2019, the Kenyan government launched an initiative to plant 10 million trees in the Mau forest, a move that has since expanded to reclaim two other forests.
Marmanet and Embobut forests in Laikipia County and Elgeyo Marakwet counties respectively are the next targets in the government's reclamation efforts.
Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko toured Marmanet forest and expressed his disappointment at the extensive encroachment. “We have kicked all illegal settlers out of the Mau and we are now moving to other forests. We shall not allow some individuals to mess up forests at the expense of majority of Kenyans,” Mr Tobiko said.
Principal Secretary Betty Maina has since called for concerted efforts to achieve the government’s target of 10 per cent forest cover by 2022.
The government has warned settlers in the forests that their time is up and they must leave. Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya has been instrumental in reclaiming the Mau forest and is now leading the efforts to recover more than 5,000 hectares of land in Embobut forest.
The Sengwer and Ogiek community claim that Embobut forest is their home and have delivered a petition to President Uhuru Kenyatta to stop evictions from the forest.
