Editor's Review
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has clarified that tree harvesting activities in Ngong Hills Forest are being conducted under an approved tender.
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has clarified that tree harvesting activities in Ngong Hills Forest are being conducted under an approved tender, following concerns raised on social media over alleged illegal logging at night.
In a statement on Sunday October 25, the Service addressed video clips and photographs circulating online, explaining the circumstances surrounding the harvesting of mature forest plantations in the Kibiku Forest Block.
"The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has noted video clips and photographs circulating on social media alleging illegal logging in Ngong Hills Forest, with claims that the activities are being carried out at night. The Service wishes to clarify the circumstances surrounding the ongoing forest plantation harvesting operations," the statement read.
KFS said the harvesting involved 56 hectares of mature plantations and followed a competitive bidding process.
The Service maintained that the operations were being undertaken in accordance with the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks governing forest management and public procurement.
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"Harvesting of mature forest plantations in the Kibiku Forest Block of Ngong Hills Forest is being undertaken following a competitive bidding process and the subsequent award of a tender for the harvesting of 56 hectares of mature plantations, in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015, the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2026 (FCMA 2026), the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and forest harvesting rules (2016)," the statement added.
KFS also outlined the prescribed working hours for forest operations and explained how the harvested areas would be restored through community participation.
It said the Community Forest Association would normally be involved in replanting trees after the harvesting process through the Plantation Enterprise and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS).
"Furthermore, forest operations are required to be conducted between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., as stipulated under the FCMA 2026. Upon completion of the harvesting process, the Community Forest Association is normally engaged to replant more trees through the Plantation Enterprise and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS)," the statement further read.
Addressing a photograph showing a trailer loaded with logs, KFS said it had received information that the vehicle had broken down and was undergoing repairs.
The Service said it was verifying the circumstances surrounding the incident and cautioned against concluding that the photograph proved logging was taking place at night.
"Regarding the photograph circulating on social media showing a trailer loaded with logs, the Service has received information that the vehicle had broken down and was undergoing repairs. KFS is verifying the circumstances surrounding the incident. The photograph alone does not establish that harvesting activities were taking place at night," the statement noted.
KFS urged members of the public with concerns about forest management and harvesting activities to seek clarification directly from its officers at the nearest station.
"The Service urges members of the public to seek clarification from the nearest KFS station on any concerns regarding forest management and harvesting activities," the statement concluded.
This comes weeks after Nakuru governor Susan Kihika blamed the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) for cutting trees in Nakuru City.
In a statement on Sunday, October 11, Kihika said the authority felled the trees without approval from the Nakuru County government.
She noted after her administration stepped in and stopped KURA from cutting down the trees.
According to the Nakuru County boss, KURA must receive county approval before felling trees, and the exercise can only be undertaken where it is necessary for road expansion.
"They initially didn’t seek the approvals as required before felling the trees, but once we stepped in, we stopped it, and now it can only happen with the county's approval where it’s absolutely necessary for the expansion of the road," she wrote.
