The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has rejected circulating claims that parts of Menengai Forest in Nakuru County have been taken illegally, describing the reports as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement released on Friday, the agency emphasized that the officially gazetted boundaries of Menengai Forest remain unchanged and fully protected.
“No part of the gazetted Menengai Forest has been grabbed. The forest boundaries are well demarcated and remain intact, as verified by KFS surveyors,” the agency said.
KFS noted that the land mentioned in the social media posts falls outside the legally recognized forest area. The agency blamed the confusion on misinformation and stressed the need for the public to confirm facts before sharing content online.
The Service also provided clarification on the Menengai Forest Fencing Project, which has been misrepresented in some reports as an attempt to acquire forest land.
“The Menengai Forest Fencing Project is a legitimate conservation initiative funded by the African Development Bank,” KFS stated, highlighting that the project forms part of the GreenZones Development Support Project Phase II.
The project involves installing roughly 55 kilometers of fencing to protect 6,014 hectares of forest. KFS said that all legal requirements, including stakeholder consultations and public participation, were properly followed before the work began.
Menengai Forest is recognized for its environmental, economic, and social value, supporting water catchment areas, diverse wildlife, eco-tourism, and livelihoods for local communities.
“Menengai Forest plays a vital environmental, economic, and social role by supporting water catchment, biodiversity, eco-tourism, and local livelihoods,” the statement read.
The agency explained that the fencing initiative aims to strengthen protection, reduce encroachment, and ensure safety for visitors and neighboring communities.
KFS reiterated its firm commitment to protecting public forests and adhering to national law.
“KFS categorically refutes all allegations of land grabbing and reiterates its unwavering commitment to conserving and protecting Kenya’s public forests in line with the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016,” the statement said.
Finally, the Service urged citizens to play an active role in forest protection by reporting any suspicious activities near forest areas.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities in or near forest areas to the nearest KFS office,” KFS added.
