A structure erected deep inside Makutani Forest has been demolished by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) as authorities intensify efforts to stop encroachment on public forest land.
The operation, conducted on Saturday January 3, targeted a two-roomed iron sheet structure at Lekirati area in Baringo County.
KFS says the building was illegally put up in recent months in what it describes as an attempt to grab the gazetted forest.
The service refuted online reports claiming that the demolished building was an operational school for the local community.
According to KFS, the illegal construction violated the Forest Conservation and Management Act No. 34 of 2016.
The law prohibits any building within gazetted forests unless authorized and a prescribed fee is paid.
"This structure was erected at Lekirati area deep inside the forest, to defeat its gazettement through the directive of a local leader," KFS stated.
The service warned that the structure posed security risks and could legitimize further encroachment by pastoral communities.
"The existence of this structure posed a security challenge, which attempted to legitimize encroachment and settlement by pastoral communities in the gazetted forest, thereby defeating the forest conservation agenda," KFS added.
Patrols are now ongoing to prevent further encroachment attempts.
KFS has urged the public to disregard conflicting reports, saying they are designed to create conflict in an already insecure region.
The Makutani operation is the latest in a series of similar actions by KFS across the country.
In October 2025, houses inside Tapach Forest in West Pokot were set ablaze during operations against illegal logging.
The same month, the Environment and Land Court ordered revocation of an illegal title deed for land in Karura Forest.
In September 2025, KFS halted construction of a tented eco-camp in Ngong Road Forest sanctuary following public concerns.
The government allocated Ksh 162 million in December 2024 to fence off forest land nationwide due to unclear boundaries fueling encroachments.
