NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies in probing alleged sexual exploitation of women collecting firewood in Mt. Elgon Forest, Bungoma County.
The announcement follows a Citizen Digital report claiming that some forest officers allegedly demand sexual favors from women in exchange for access to firewood—a resource described as “as valuable as gold” by residents in the region.
In a formal statement, KFS clarified that no such cases have been officially reported, recorded, or forwarded to the Service, the National Police Service, or any other law enforcement agency in Bungoma.
“Routine supervision, patrols, and administrative checks normally conducted in forest stations within the Mt. Elgon ecosystem have not revealed any evidence to support claims of sexual exploitation or any form of gender-based offenses by Forest Rangers,” the statement read.
The Service expressed concern that the allegations lacked specific details, such as the exact locations, dates, or identities of alleged perpetrators.
KFS also noted that historical incidents involving the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) between 2006 and 2008, which included acts of gender-based violence, did not implicate forest officers.
“The Kenya Forest Service remains committed to upholding and safeguarding the rights of forest-adjacent communities and the integrity of the Service,” KFS added.
The statement further urged victims or witnesses to report cases to the nearest police or forest station for investigation.
Citizen Digital’s report detailed the plight of women forced into desperate measures to obtain firewood, with some allegedly paying higher fees or exchanging sexual favors due to economic hardship.
It highlighted testimonies from residents, including Hannah, a widow with six children, who said she struggled to collect firewood for survival, and Claris, a survivor of sexual violence during the SLDF insurgency, whose trauma underscores the lasting impact of gender-based violence in the region.
Local leaders have acknowledged the issue. Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa expressed concern about exploitation during the inaugural Mount Elgon Day 2025, highlighting that women collecting firewood sometimes face coercion.
Civil society actors, including Betty Okero of the CSO Network, stressed the link between economic deprivation and gender-based violence, advocating for systemic changes such as equitable land access and empowerment programs to prevent exploitation.
While KFS refutes current allegations against its officers, it reiterated that all personnel are trained in professional conduct, ethical standards, and a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to forest management.
“Any reported case will be thoroughly investigated with the aim of restoring the dignity of the victim and taking severe legal action against any perpetrator,” the Service stated.
The controversy underscores the intersection of poverty, resource scarcity, and gender inequality in Mt. Elgon.
Women dependent on firewood for daily survival remain vulnerable to exploitation, highlighting the urgent need for interventions addressing both economic and social vulnerabilities.
KFS’s commitment to cooperate with detectives signals an institutional willingness to investigate alleged abuses while safeguarding community rights, reinforcing its pledge to maintain both the integrity of forest management and the dignity of forest-adjacent communities.
