This archive report was first published on 19 December 2019.
Laikipia County is home to the Marmanet forest, a vital ecosystem that has suffered massive degradation due to encroachment by illegal settlers.
According to reports, the government has issued an ultimatum to those residing in the forest to vacate the area, with the operation set to begin next month.
Over 10,000 people will be affected by the operation, which aims to reclaim part of the forest that has been converted into large-scale commercial farm lands.
Kenya Forest Service Chair Peter Kinyua expressed regret over the large-scale conversion of the forest into commercial wheat and maize plantations, which has reduced the forest's original 19,600 hectares to a mere fraction.
Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi has pledged to partner with the national government to plant trees in the over 10,000 hectares of land set to be reclaimed.
Despite claims by some settlers that they possess genuine title deeds, the government maintains that it will not rescind its decision to evict the illegal settlers.
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