Trans nzoia: The national government and communities living near Saboti Forest have struck an agreement which will ensure protection of the facility for posterity.
According to Kenya News Agency, the deal is expected to end deforestation activities, allowing communities to lead tree planting campaigns and other efforts to restore the forest’s former state. The agreement was spearheaded by Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Hussein Allasow Hussein at Gitwamba Health Center, where he expressed concern over extensive deforestation in the forest and urged community members to actively participate in its conservation.
The agreement followed a tour led by Allasow and the County Security team to the Mukunga Section of Saboti Forest, where unknown individuals had caused significant destruction by felling hundreds of trees. The motives behind these actions remain unclear. Allasow emphasized that the government would not tolerate further forest destruction, noting that police investigations are underway to hold those responsible accountable.
‘As a government, we are not going to watch as this important water tower is brought down. For this reason, we are here to engage the community who are important stakeholders,’ Allasow stated. He also highlighted the forest’s benefits to the community and warned that continued destruction might lead to the forest being declared a no-go zone, halting all human activities, including grazing.
Allasow urged the community to resolve land grievances through legal mechanisms, assuring them of the government’s willingness to find amicable solutions to any existing disputes, as long as confrontations are avoided.
Trans Nzoia County Forest Conservator Joseph Mbugua, present at the agreement’s formation, welcomed the deal, citing illegal tree cutting as a significant challenge for the department in the region. Community spokesperson John Ngeywo pledged collaboration with the government to protect the forest, stating that the community is committed to the restoration campaign and ensuring accountability for any further destruction.
‘We have lived with this forest for many years, and it has been of great benefit to us. There is no way we are going to witness it go down. We have agreed to join hands with the government to ensure that no more trees are brought down. The community is willing to take a front seat in the restoration campaign,’ Ngeywo declared.
