Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has ordered all Kenyans living in government forest land to vacate immediately.
Speaking during the national tree planting exercise in Marsabit County on May 10, 2023, Kindiki noted that many forest covers had been encroached on by Kenyans.
He noted that some people had built their homes in forests while others had undertaken other business activities.
The CS revealed that the government would begin to reclaim all forest land as they aim to protect the environment.
"There are some people who have encroached on our forests. I want to make it very clear that all those who have encroached on all forest land must leave immediately.
"We are going to reclaim our forest reserves as we increase our forests. Therefore any person who is living in the government forest must start leaving," he directed.
Further, he acknowledged that some people had even attained title deeds for the forest land, adding that the government had information that the documents were acquired irregularly.
Nonetheless, he maintained that all persons living in the forest would be moved despite having the land ownership documents.
"We are told that some of them managed to get illegal title deeds and we shall not respect a title deed issued against the law. They must vacate whether they have title deeds or not," he stated.
On the other hand, he also announced that the reclamation of riparian land would continue in Nairobi and across the 47 counties.
Kindiki stated that the law prevents any property development 30 meters next to a water body.
The CS added that the directives were necessary given the impact of climate change on the country. In particular he cited the recent floods which have seen over 200 people die.
