Stop leasing government land residents cautioned

Mt Elgon Friday June 09, 2023

KNA by Douglas Mudambo

Residents of Mt Elgon Sub county Bungoma County have been cautioned against leasing government land.

Speaking to KNA at his office in Kapsokwony town Thursday, Mt Elgon Deputy County Commissioner Benjamin Nzioka noted that after the government allowing shamba system some of the residents are taking money from other people in pretense to allocate them land in the forest.

This come about after numerous cases were reported of few residents soliciting money from unsuspecting persons in the name of allocating them land in the forest meant for shamba system.

Nzioka cautioned persons engaging in such kind of activity that it's criminal to get money from a person to allocate him government land.

"Shamba system is a programme meant to utilise part of forest land for cultivation of recommended crops as person allocated plant trees and eventually the trees mature then the person moves out as the land still belong to the government," he noted.

The DCC also cautioned Kenya Forest Service Officers colluding with a few members of public to solicit bribe or lease that they will face the full force of the law.

Nzioka said that there are rules and regulations in allocation of land for shamba system and should be followed to the latter.

"Kenya Forest Service and community living along the forest must use the laid down procedure to ensure that the programme is successful," he noted.

The DCC added that the programme is meant not only to conserve the environment but also to fight food insecurity in the area.

He called upon Kenya Forest Service officers to be vigilant and to ensure that the forest is protected.

Mark Ndiema, a civil society member on matters concerning environment urged residents to plant more trees since the county and country depends on Mt Elgon forest on water.

Ndiema also cautioned residents against cultivation on riparian land stating that by doing so most of the soils is washed away.

He also urged the community living along the river to plant indigenous trees and cautioned them against eucalyptus trees since by doing so it will dry up rivers.

The Civil society representative said that they are still on course to ensure to achieve 15 per cent forest cover as per the presidential directive.

The DCC also cautioned the security team to be vigilant of a few criminals who take advantage of activities in the forest and hide inside there to root them out to face the law.

He also asked the stakeholders to also not interfere with the wild animals in the forest calling upon everyone to be involved in taking care of the forest and wild animals.

Among stakeholders present communities living along the forest, Kenya Forest Service officer Kenya Wildlife service officers and security team.

Courtesy ; K. N. A