Hilton Otenyo
6 January 2003
Nairobi — Irregular allocation of forest land to private developers in the country will be revoked soon, Environment Minister, Dr Newton Kulundu, said yesterday.
Kulundu said disciplinary action will be taken against all Government officials found to have dished out the forest land to politically correct individuals.
He said the Kenyan forest cover was only 3 per cent against the world habitat recommended 10 per cent of the total land surface in a country.
Kulundu said all efforts will be made by the new Government to increase the forest cover to the international level.
He said his Ministry will lias with the relevant Government departments to have the allocations nullified and the land reverted back to the state.
Speaking to the East African Standard, on phone, the Minister regretted that Kenyan forests had been depleted by selfish individuals.
"Forests sustain livelihood of Kenyans and we can not allow them to be destroyed with impunity because of greed by certain well connected individuals," he said.
Kulundu singled out the controversial Karura Forest which he said had been "grabbed" during the Kanu Government and title deeds unjustly issued to the beneficiaries.
He pointed out that the equatorial forests found in Kenya serve as the main water catchment areas for major rivers in East and Central Africa.
He disclosed that a Forest Management Policy Bill was being worked out and expressed optimism that it will be brought to the ninth Parliament. He said the bill is aimed at increasing the forest cover in the country.
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