MPs consider de-gazettement of occupied Kipkabus Forest land for title issuance

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining is reviewing a proposal to remove protected status from certain sections of Kipkabus Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The aim is to enable the issuance of title deeds to long-term residents. The Committee heard a briefing on a petition from the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry regarding regularisation of claims involving public forest land.

A Presidential directive issued in July 2025 lays out the process for processing and issuing title deeds to residents of Kipkabus Forest. Over time, parts of the forest have been lost through informal excisions, land exchanges and encroachment. The Ministry is proposing to regularise settled areas using the established legal process while safeguarding the remaining forest.

The Committee has a work plan to guide their deliberations and will hold a meeting with the Principal Secretary to gather more details. They plan to conduct public consultations and site visits to assess the extent of encroachment and the condition of affected areas.