TRANS NZOIA, Kenya — The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has launched investigations after about 350 young trees were illegally felled overnight at Makunga forest block within the Saboti Forest Station in the Mount Elgon ecosystem.
KFS, however, dismissed reports that the Shikhendu forest block had been cleared, saying the block mentioned in reports circulating online was not affected by the incident.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, the forest agency confirmed that illegal logging had occurred at Makunga, where hundreds of young trees were cut down and left lying on the ground.
“The illegal felling of trees within Makunga forest block seems to be maliciously instigated by a few individuals to incite the community, and 350 young trees were felled overnight and left on the ground,” KFS said.
KFS launches investigation
Forest officers have begun investigations to identify those responsible for the destruction and establish the motive behind the incident.
The agency said preliminary findings pointed to the possibility that the trees were deliberately destroyed by individuals seeking to create tension within the local community.
KFS has since intensified security and surveillance operations within the affected area to prevent further destruction of forest resources.
The agency warned that anyone found responsible would face arrest and prosecution under the Forest Conservation and Management Act.
“Protection and security have since been enhanced, and those found culpable of the forest crimes will be arrested and charged,” KFS said.
The service has also appealed to residents to assist investigators with information that could help identify the suspects.
Members of the public with information have been asked to report to the Saboti Foresters Office, the County Forest Conservator in Trans Nzoia County or the nearest police station.
Mount Elgon forests under scrutiny
The incident has renewed concerns about the protection of the Mount Elgon ecosystem, one of Kenya’s important forest and water-catchment landscapes.
The ecosystem straddles the Kenya-Uganda border and is centred on Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano rising to about 4,321 metres above sea level.
On the Kenyan side, the ecosystem extends across parts of Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties and includes protected forests and other habitats managed under the Mount Elgon Forest Reserve, including Saboti Forest Station.
The Ugandan section includes Mount Elgon National Park, making the wider landscape an important transboundary conservation area.
The ecosystem supports indigenous forests, bamboo zones, montane vegetation and diverse wildlife, including birds, mammals, insects and plant species. Some of these species depend on intact forest habitats for survival.
Critical water catchment
Beyond biodiversity, Mount Elgon is an important water-catchment area for communities and agricultural activities in western Kenya and eastern Uganda.
Rivers originating from the mountain supply water to households, farms and surrounding ecosystems, making the protection of forest cover critical to water security and environmental sustainability.
KFS said it would continue working with local communities, security agencies and other stakeholders to protect forest resources and prevent criminal activities.
The destruction of the young trees comes as Kenya intensifies nationwide tree-growing and forest restoration programmes aimed at increasing tree cover, combating climate change and reversing environmental degradation.
Illegal logging and the unlawful harvesting of forest products remain among the challenges facing Kenya’s forests, with authorities continuing to conduct surveillance and enforcement operations.
KFS is now seeking to establish who organised the overnight destruction at Makunga and whether the incident was part of a wider attempt to undermine forest conservation efforts or create conflict within the surrounding community.
