Thousands Set to Receive Land Titles as Government Pushes to Degazette Over 6,700 Hectares of Forest Land

Nairobi, Kenya - In a significant move to address decades-old land disputes and empower local communities, the Kenyan government has submitted a formal petition to the National Assembly seeking approval to degazette more than 6,700 hectares of forest land across four key reserves. This action, led by Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, aims to formalize settlements that have existed since the 1980s, paving the way for thousands of residents to finally obtain legal title deeds for the areas they have occupied and cultivated for generations.

The proposed degazettement targets specific portions of South Nandi Forest, Turbo Forest, Mt Elgon Forest, and sections of Kakamega Forest, including Shiru and Shaviringa. By adjusting these forest boundaries, the government intends to resolve long-standing claims of occupation for non-forestry purposes, such as farming and residential use, while maintaining the integrity of the remaining forested areas for conservation. This process follows a thorough investigation by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, which reviewed public petitions and recommended boundary realignments to support sustainable land management and broader national priorities.

The legal foundation for the petition draws from Articles 36, 62, and 119 of the Kenyan Constitution, alongside Section 34 of the Forest Conservation and Management Act. These provisions empower the government to vary or revoke forest boundaries, but only with parliamentary consent, ensuring a careful equilibrium between granting community rights to land and safeguarding environmental protection. Once approved, the excision would allow for the issuance of title deeds, bringing formal ownership and security to families who have lived in uncertainty on these public lands.

Spotlight on South Nandi Forest: A Legacy of Land Exchanges

South Nandi Forest, spanning a vast 17,960.50 hectares in Nandi County, forms a critical ecological corridor in western Kenya. The area proposed for degazettement covers 989.17 hectares, representing a small but densely settled fraction of the reserve. This forest was first declared a protected area under Proclamation No. 76 in 1936 and later affirmed as a central forest through Legal Notice No. 174 in 1964.

The push for regularization stems from historical land swaps in the hilly Chepkumia area, where local farmers traded their original holdings for plots within the forest boundaries. Over time, this section became fully occupied by agricultural activities, with residents relying on the land for subsistence farming. The government's plan recognizes these longstanding claims, aiming to convert the occupied zone into titled private land without encroaching on the core forest ecosystem.

Turbo Forest: Addressing Squatter Settlements from the 1990s

In Uasin Gishu County, Turbo Forest covers an expansive 19,038 acres originally gazetted under Legal Notice No. 145 on June 14, 1968. The 1,241 hectares targeted for removal were specifically allocated in 1995 as part of a settlement scheme for landless squatters in the Manzini Forest Block. This initiative sought to provide homes and farmland to vulnerable families displaced by earlier land pressures.

Decades later, these settlers continue to inhabit and work the land, contributing to local food production but operating without formal titles. The degazettement petition validates their presence, proposing to excise the area to enable title issuance. This step not only honors the original resettlement intent but also prevents future conflicts over land use in a region prone to rapid population growth.

Mt Elgon Forest: Honoring Indigenous Rights from the 1970s

The largest portion of the proposed changes focuses on Mt Elgon Forest, a biodiversity hotspot straddling the Kenya-Uganda border. Here, 4,647 hectares are slated for degazettement, drawn from the Chepyuk Settlement Scheme established in 1974. This scheme was designed to relocate the Elgony Dorobo community, an indigenous group that had traditionally resided in the forest's moorlands for centuries.

The Elgony Dorobo's deep cultural and historical ties to the area made their integration into the settlement a key government priority at the time. Today, descendants of these early settlers farm the land intensively, growing crops like maize and tea that support regional economies. By pursuing boundary adjustments, the state aims to secure their tenure, fostering stability and encouraging sustainable practices that align with both community needs and conservation goals.

Kakamega Forest Sections: Compensation for Public Infrastructure

In the lush Kakamega region, known for one of Africa's last remaining rainforests, the petition includes 130.99 hectares from the Shiru and Shaviringa sections. This forest, a vital carbon sink and wildlife habitat, saw these lands repurposed in 1988 through a compensation scheme for residents displaced to make way for essential public facilities.

The affected areas were acquired to build institutions such as Vihiga District Hospital, Mbale Hospital, and Vokoli Secondary School, serving thousands in western Kenya. Families who received alternative plots in exchange now seek formal recognition of their holdings. The degazettement would rectify this by granting titles, ensuring that the land allocated as compensation becomes legally binding and free from future reclamation risks.

Balancing Development and Conservation: What Lies Ahead

This comprehensive initiative reflects the government's commitment to resolving historical land injustices while upholding environmental stewardship. The Kenya Forest Service Board has endorsed the recommendations, emphasizing that the excisions will not compromise the forests' overall health or their role in climate regulation, water catchment, and biodiversity preservation. Instead, they promote orderly land use, potentially reducing illegal encroachments elsewhere.

Residents in these areas express cautious optimism, viewing the titles as a pathway to invest in improved farming techniques and infrastructure. However, environmental advocates stress the need for robust monitoring to prevent further degradation. The petition now awaits deliberation in the National Assembly, where lawmakers will weigh community benefits against ecological imperatives.

If approved, this could mark a turning point for thousands of families, transforming informal occupations into empowered ownership and injecting vitality into rural economies across Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, and Kakamega counties. As Kenya navigates its dual mandate of growth and green protection, such measures highlight the evolving dialogue between people and nature.