CS Soipan Tuya To Revoke Title Deeds Of Kenyans Living In These Areas

Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has announced that the government will revoke all title deeds held by individuals who possess parcels of land in gazetted forests.

In a statement on X on Wednesday, April 3, the CS declared that the aforementioned title deeds are illegal.

Tuya also announced that the government would revoke the title deeds for organisations that have such pieces of land in the forests.

However, the CS noted that genuine titles held by institutions involved in research in the forests would be converted into special-use licenses, which will be issued by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

Environment CS Soipan Tuya speaking during her visit to Ololua Forest in Kajiado County on March 3, 2024. /SOIPAN TUYA

"We shall revoke all land title deeds held by individuals and organizations in gazetted forests. They are expressly illegal. 

"For deserving entities involved in noble activities including research in gazetted forests across the country, their titles shall be converted into special use licenses to be issued by the Kenya Forest Service," she stated.

She however did not reveal when exactly the revocation exercise for the title deeds will commence.

The process will mean that she will also have to involve her Lands counterpart, Alice Wahome as matters concerning land fall in her docket.

She announced after visiting the Ololua Forest in Kajiado County to address encroachment concerns.

Tuya maintained that the government would not be lenient in dealing with individuals who grab forest land, expressing the importance of conserving the environment.

Oloolua locals last week protested against an alleged grabbing of 66 acres of forest land near the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority.

On March 30, KFS however denied the claims saying no one has been allocated the land in question.

“Following public concerns regarding the alleged grabbing of a parcel of Oloolua Forest in Kajiado County, L.R no. 23269, Kenya Forest Service seeks to make a clarification on the matter.

"The portion of land in question is currently occupied by four government agencies. There is absolutely no individual who has been allocated land within Oloolua forest” KFS said.

The service called on Kenyans with evidence that the land had been grabbed to present it to the nearest police station for investigation.