Kiambu Forest no longer exists.
This is the sad reality that greeted a Senate team that visited the site on Monday on a factfinding mission over the alleged grabbing of 133.9 hectares of forestland.
To their surprise, the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, led by chairman Fred Outa, found settlements. The forestland has been linked to the murder of environmentalist Joannah Stutchbury.
"We are here to find out what could have motivated the killing of this innocent human being. Was it the grabbing of the land? What was it? And our mandate is just to do that.
"We've been taken round by the county commissioner together with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and all related agencies. We found out that the area is still gazetted as Kiambu forest. Before we go on long recess, we will be tabling a report in the house," Outa said.
He assured those residing on the forestland that they would have the opportunity to be heard before the committee.
Other members present were Mithika Linturi (Meru) and Mohamed Mohamud (Madera). Linturi said the committee will look into the evidence produced.
"While coming here, I thought I would enter a forest. Now I have got to people's homes. I must establish how we ended up building such magnificent homes in an area that is supposed to be a forest.
"Until all the evidence is brought to the committee and all parties interested appear before the committee, it will not be correct and will be premature to pronounce on the outcome," he said.
Mohamud said the petition brought to the Senate by more than 13 conservationists, under the umbrella of Conversation of Kenya Alliance, talks about the murder of the environmentalist and the grabbing of Kiambu forest.
"The investigation into the murder is with the police and the committee is here to look into the circumstances surrounding the murder and how Kiambu forest is being managed or grabbed," he said.
Also accompanying the team were Kiambu MP Jude Njomo, Deputy Governor Joyce Ngugi, Environment and Forestry chief administrative secretary Mohammed Elmi, county commissioner Wilson Wanyanga and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and lands officials.
Njomo said the matter must be unearthed as it has disturbed residents who have title deeds and have paid their stamp duties. All of a sudden, they are declared to be in a forest, he lamented.
"Somebody somewhere did not do his duty in de-gazetting the forest or skipped some steps and that is why the residents are very worried. They can see they are going to lose property," he said.
It is not the first time KFS is at loggerheads with landowners over ownership, he said, citing 419 Kamiti/Anmer acres.
Njomo said KFS acts in total disregard for the decisions made by the NLC and Parliament. The current holders of the land say they followed all legal procedures when buying the property.
"They did their search, green cards are there and I urge the committee to approach the issue with a lot of caution and consideration for the people living here for they are likely to lose a lot of their investments," Njomo said.
Some of the owners of the land mentioned by Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko last week include Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri through Agropack Limited. The firm is said to have been allocated 6.795 hectares.
Bedan Mbugua Gikebe, Antony Muchiri Gikebe and Philomena Wangari Gikebe were allocated 25 hectares through Wibeso Investments Limited. The three are listed as directors.
Mike Maina Kamau and Nguru Muregi Wachira own 29.68 hectares through their company Pelican Engineering and Company Limited. The late Limuru MP Kuria Kanyingi was allocated 15 hectares.
Kiambaa (Nyakinyua) Women Group was allocated 39.82 hectares. The group has developed the land.
KFS has since said put a caveat on the land and ordered that no more developments go on until the matter is concluded.
