The National Assembly received a petition from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa on 4^th November 2025 seeking parliamentary approval to de-gazette portions of four public forests to regularise long-standing human settlements.

In the petition tabled before the House by Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula , the Ministry proposed phased de-gazettement of parts of South Nandi, Turbo, Mt. Elgon, and Kakamega Forests — areas that have been inhabited for decades by communities relocated for public development projects or resettled through government schemes.

According to the petition, the process follows extensive reviews by an Inter-Ministerial Committee and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Board, which recommended the variation of forest boundaries under Section 34 of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 (Cap. 385).

“The Cabinet has already approved the variation of these forest boundaries to regularise existing settlements,” read part of the petition. “The Ministry now seeks Parliament’s approval to implement this in phases, beginning with four priority areas.”

The targeted areas include;South Nandi Forest (Chepkumia Block) – 989.17 hectares, Turbo Forest (Manzini Block) – 1,241.50 hectares, Mt. Elgon Forest (Chebyuk Settlement Scheme) – 4,647 hectares and Kakamega Forest (Shiru and Shaviringa areas) – 94.99 and 36 hectares respectively

Speaker Wetang’ula referred the petition to the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining and the Public Petitions Committee, directing them to expedite their consideration.

“These petitions fall squarely within the jurisdiction of the House. I urge the Committees to move swiftly and report their findings for consideration,” said the Speaker.

Lawmakers from affected regions welcomed the move, describing it as a long-awaited step toward restoring dignity and ownership for families who have lived on the contested lands for decades.

Hon. Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya) lauded the Ministry for addressing the matter, saying residents of Shiru and Shaviringa in Kakamega County had been living without title deeds since the 1980s.

“These people have suffered for over 40 years. They surrendered their land for public utilities like Moi Girls Vokoli, Mbale Hospital and the County Headquarters. They deserve title deeds so that they can live normal lives and use their land productively,” said Hon. Milemba.

Hon. Josses Lelmengit (Emgwen) echoed similar sentiments, noting that residents of Chepkumia in Nandi County have waited nearly three decades for land regularisation.

“This process comes at the right time. It will finally allow the people of Chepkumia, Ngerek, Koibem, and Kiptuiya to be resettled and own their land. They have waited too long for justice,” said Hon. Lelmengit.

However, Hon. Maisori Kemero Kitayama (Kuria East) raised concerns about fairness, alleging that while some regions are being assisted, others—like Macalder—have faced unlawful gazettement of their land as forests.

“It is disheartening that while one side of the country gets regularisation, others are subjected to illegal gazettement. We must ensure fairness in all parts of the country,” he said, before the Speaker cautioned him against discussing a matter still before a committee.

Hon. Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga County, ANC) thanked the government for its timely intervention, adding that land disputes had become deeply emotive in the affected areas.

“Some families have lived like squatters for decades, and others have even lost loved ones without closure due to land disputes. We urge that this process be fast-tracked so our people can live dignified lives,” said Hon. Adagala