KAYA elders have raised concern over the destruction of Kaya forests in Kwale. The elders, who refer to the forests as, "holy sanctuaries" are afraid that the forests may be extinct with the increased human activities and massive grabbing by tycoons.
The elders majority from Kayas in Kwale, Ukunda, Msambweni, Chale and Tiwi are appealing to the government to withdraw title deeds issued to private developers and allocate the land back to Kayas.
They said the increasing population has led to encroachment into the gazzeted forests holding the cultures and traditions of the Mijikenda community.
They elders said influential people in government have been targeting the shrines for grabbing. Speaking at Kaya Tiwi in Kwale when elders met yesterday, chairman Abdala Mnyenze said the shrines must be conserved.
He said destruction of the forests is against the Mijikenda ancestral wishes and could lead to calamities. The elders who have previously presented their grievances to both president Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga now want the two principles to act with urgency to save the forest.
“We don’t want violence. We are appealing to the government to help us and stop the destruction being done in the Kayas. These are our holy shrines,” said Mnyenze.
He said despite the Government recognizing the holy forests through the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, destructions and grabbing of large chunks of lands have continued.
“We wonder who is issuing title deeds on land which is gazzeted as a national monument and protected under the national museums and heritage act. This is very wrong and we are not happy,” said Mnyenze.
The elders say calamities experienced in the country are as a result of destruction of the kaya forests which could be used to offer sacrifices and pray for peace of the country.