Why you face eviction if you have settled in this area of Menengai
Chief Conservator of forests Alex Lemarkoko during his inspection tour of Menengai forest in Nakuru.
Residents who have encroached on the Menengai forest face eviction as the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) begins fencing the forest.
This is to pave way for the installation of the 55km electric fence around the forest.
Encroachers on the 6000km of land have been asked to vacate the forest before the Kenya Forest Service begins the fencing programme.
KFS Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, has warned that the government will not negotiate with people who have crossed the forest boundaries, saying they will be evicted.
"If anyone has settled on forest land, let them know that the government will not argue with them, but will ask them to make way for our fence without much conflict. The beacons and the GPS do not lie and wherever the GPS locates our beacons, that will be our land," said Mr Lemarkoko.
Menengai Forest is bordered by at least five sub-counties including Nakuru East, Nakuru West, Bahati, Subukia and Rongai.
The official noted that there has been an increase in illegal human activities in the forest as a result of the growing urban population.
The fencing, he said, will provide a sustainable solution to the challenges of encroachment and degradation of natural vegetation in the forest ecosystem.
The Sh100 million project, funded by the African Development Bank, will take at least six months to complete.
Mr Lamarkoko said the project will also protect the important water catchment areas including the geothermal development resource as well as the natural recreational area for the community.