The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has moved to dispel claims circulating on social media alleging that a section of the Menengai Crater Forest in Nakuru County has been grabbed.
In a statement issued on Friday, KFS clarified that no portion of the gazetted Menengai Forest has been taken over by private developers, insisting that the boundaries remain intact, contrary to reports.
“The Kenya Forest Service categorically refutes all allegations of land grabbing in the Menengai Crater area. The forest boundaries are well demarcated and remain intact, as verified by KFS surveyors,” the Service stated.
“KFS affirms that no part of the gazetted Menengai Forest has been grabbed. The forest boundaries are well demarcated and remain intact, as verified by KFS surveyors.”
According to the agency, the confusion appears to stem from ongoing fencing works around the forest, which some members of the public have mistaken for private land demarcation.
KFS explained that the area being referenced in the viral reports lies outside the gazetted forest boundary and does not form part of the protected forest land.
The Service maintained that the fencing exercise is part of a legitimate conservation project fully funded by the African Development Bank through the GreenZones Development Support Project Phase II.
It added that the initiative covers approximately 55 kilometres around 6,014 hectares of the Menengai Forest and aims to enhance forest protection, deter unlawful activities, and ensure the safety of visitors and surrounding communities.
KFS noted that before the project began, all required procedures were followed, including public participation to guarantee transparency and community involvement.
At the same time, the agency pointed out that Menengai Forest plays a vital role in sustaining biodiversity, supporting eco-tourism, and serving as an important water catchment area for Nakuru County and its surroundings.
“The Service calls upon the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities in or near forest areas to the nearest KFS office.”
The Service also assured Kenyans that measures have been put in place to safeguard key forests such as Menengai, amid growing concerns over increasing attempts to grab protected green spaces across the country.
