The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has dismissed a petition seeking to stop the construction, development, and other projects that involve the use of forests, saying it is inciting the public.
In a strongly worded statement, KFS said, “The entity pushing this petition fails to give specific details and evidence of the claimed forest destruction and anticipated loss of forest cover or their efforts to seek redress through Kenya Forest Service.”
The statement, which is not signed by any official and is a series of tweets on X, while not naming the entity in question, refers to an effort of Greenpeace Africa, which has launched a petition seeking to stop the destruction of forests.
The petition reviewed by Kenyans.co.ke is addressed to Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, demanding action on the matter.
"Immediately stop deforestation and protect Kenya’s forests by halting destructive projects, upholding the logging ban, strengthening governance with transparent community involvement, and taking firm action against illegal logging and land grabbing," reads part of their statement accompanying the petition.
In the petition, Greenpeace claims that iconic Kenyan forests making up almost 10 times the size of Nairobi are under threat.
“Parts of Suam Forest are slated to be destroyed for the construction of a border town; acres of Oloolua Forest is to be handed over to a private developer, while large areas of Karura and Aberdare forests could be torn up for a road expansion project,” Green Peace states in its support for the petition.
It also demanded that the CS take “swift and firm action against illegal logging activities and land grabbing within forest areas.”
Further demanding that Duale hold both political and business elites accountable.
In their response, KFS dismissed these claims, stating that whenever a project involving forest land is proposed, the authority conducts Environmental Impact Assessments, which are carried out by the National Environmental Authority (NEMA). They also include reports on public participation and plans for forest restoration.
Adding, “KFS cautions the public to assess individual reports of each forest that is purportedly under risk and to contact the nearest KFS office for needed clarifications.”
A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke revealed that the petition has been signed by 13,452 individuals, with a goal of 20,000 signatures.
In its statement, KFS said there is no planned destruction of forests. “For avoidance of doubt, there is no planned destruction of any gazetted forest, and the public is advised to report any concerns for further investigation,” KFS asserted.
