Nairobi — A section of Kenyans have come out to condemn Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's remarks suggesting the government would soon permit farming in gazetted forests.
Gachagua was referring to a practice known as forest farming (shamba system) which entails the cultivation of crops under a managed tree canopy.
Speaking in Eldama Ravine on Saturday during the burial ceremony of Baringo Deputy Governor Charles Kipng'ok, Gachagua said that the Kenya Kwanza government will bring back the controversial 'shamba system' that allowed Kenyans to farm inside forests.
"We used to have the shamba system that allowed our people to plant maize in forests as they tend for trees. Once trees grow, they leave," he said.
"This is your government. We will direct that those managing forests will allow our people to cultivate so that we can have more food," he added.
Gachagua further fired at government officials in President Uhuru Kenyatta's dispensation over what he termed as insensitive policies that disregarded the role of locals in protecting forests.
"People who had protected forests in their areas were even stopped from picking dried up branches as they were left to decay," the DP said.
His remarks, however, attracted varied reactions from Kenyans with most condemning the move.
Reuben Kigame, a renown gospel musician, criticized Gachagua's statement, saying such a policy directive would lead to grabbing of forests.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
"Another bad start for the new government. There goes our forests at a time we are fighting climate change. Please watch and help me say no to the grabbing of our forests," he tweeted.
Lawyer Miguna Miguna also backed Kigame's position. He said: "I agree. Rigathi must avoid these kinds of roadside declarations. Farming in forests is a very bad idea."
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi also chastised the DP.
"Farming in gazetted forests is land grab aka Moi/KANU. FULL STOP," he wrote on his twitter.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also criticized the move.
Am the Senator of Kakamega, home to Kakamega Forest, the only REMAINING, indigenous tropical rain forest out side the Congo of DRC & the Amazon of Brazil.
I would find it extremely difficult to disagree with Prof Wangari Mathai pic.twitter.com/DG9FPVqLLb-- Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@KBonimtetezi) September 25, 2022
