Stutchbury likely killed by Kiambu forest grabber — Senate report

Environmentalist Joannah Stutchbury could have been murdered by an individual who illegally acquired portions of Kiambu forest, a report by a Senate committee shows.

The report by the Senate’s National Security panel reveals Stutchbury may have been killed by the illegal forest occupier who constructed a road through riparian land to gain access to his property.

“The committee recommends the Inspector General of Police and the DCI investigate the said individual with a view of arrest and prosecution for the death of Ms Joannah Stutchbury,” the report reads.

The IG and DCI should provide a report to the Senate in three months on the implementation of the committee recommendations.

The committee is chaired by Kisumu Senator Fred Outa.

Stutchbury, 67, was shot six times outside her Kiambu home on July 15, 2020.  Her driveway had been blocked by branches and she got out of her car to clear them.

A preliminary investigation report by DCI boss George Kinoti also revealed Stutchbury might have been killed by Kiambu forest land grabbers.

She might have been killed because of her passion and position on the need for forest conservation, the DCI report said.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the deceased’s resistance to the encroachment and illegal construction of a road on LR. No 21179 F/R. NO.284/108 may have been the probable motive behind the murder,” Kinoti had said when he submitted the report to the committee in November, last year.

In the committee report tabled in the Senate last week, the panel, recommended repossession of 31.82 acres of the vast forest that have been claimed by individuals who do not have ownership documents.

The parcels include 16.98 acres reportedly owned by a company.

A report by Environment CS Keriako Tobiko presented to the committee in October last year said an MP is a director of the company.

The report does not indicate the names of individuals or companies claiming the remaining 14.84 acres but says they have been claimed by those who not have proof of ownership.

“The committee recommends that the Kenya Forest Service and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry revoke excision of any of these parcels and acquire title deeds for them,” the report states.

The panel recommended that the parcels be fenced and remain as forest and part of the Kiambu forest reserve.

In addition, the DCI has been asked to immediately commence investigations into how the individuals came to own the land in swampy forested areas.

However, the nine-member panel, whose report is subject to debate and approval or otherwise, by the House, wants the ministry to stop interfering with owners of about 196.7 acres of the forest as they have some proof of ownership.

They include Pelican Engineering, which owns 74.2 acres, and Kuria Kanyingi ,which owns 60 acres and 62.5 acres registered in the name of Marg Ridge Estate.

“All of them hold documents from various government agencies as a proof of how they acquired the parcels of land lawfully.”

“Arising from these documents, the committee recommends that the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Kenya Forest Service desist from issuing eviction threats to the owners of those parcels of land,” it states.

The panel held that the Ministry, KFS and the Kiambu government should facilitate the listed owners to acquire title deeds.

“A report on the same should be forwarded to the Senate within five months after tabling this report,” the report reads.

In addition, the senators asked the National Land Commission to review land grants that expired in 2017.

The NLC should also formulate a legislative proposal and forward it to the Senate for processing, the committee said.

(Edited by V. Graham)