The Principal Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning, Generali Nixon Korir, together with his Forestry counterpart, Gitonga Mugambi, led a crucial stakeholders' engagement meeting in Nakuru County to oversee the implementation of a court ruling on the Mau Forest land boundaries. The meeting brought together key government officials, community representatives, and local leaders to discuss the beaconing process, transparency in land matters, and the importance of upholding the court judgment. The decision to mark the forest boundaries is part of the government's broader commitment to protecting Mau Forest, one of Kenya's most critical ecosystems.
Mau Forest, Kenya's largest indigenous forest, spans over 400,000 hectares and serves as a vital water catchment area for the country and the wider East African region. It is the source of numerous rivers that feed into Lake Victoria and the Nile Basin, supporting millions of people and wildlife. The forest plays a crucial role in stabilizing rainfall patterns, maintaining biodiversity, and mitigating climate change.
However, for decades, Mau Forest has faced massive deforestation due to illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and human settlement. Studies indicate that over 40% of the forest cover has been lost, leading to severe environmental consequences, including reduced water availability, increased soil erosion, and the displacement of communities that rely on the forest for their livelihoods. Speaking at the Nakuru meeting, PS Korir reaffirmed the government's dedication to enforcing the court ruling and ensuring that land boundary demarcation is done transparently. "We are here to implement the court's decision and ensure the beaconing process follows the gazetted 2001 map.
In the next 30 days, beacons for Mau East will be placed.
