- Among the other significant petitions was the resettlement of squatters in Koiben Village, Nandi County, and Ontulili in the Mt. Kenya Forest.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Aden Duale has appeared before the National Assembly's Public Petitions Committee, led by Kitui East MP Hon. Nimrod Mbai. During this session, Duale addressed seven petitions highlighting critical issues within the ministry.
In his statement regarding Petition No. 52 of 2023, which concerns the ban on asbestos roofing materials, Duale acknowledged the serious health risks posed by asbestos. “The Ministry acknowledges the health risks posed by asbestos and is committed to transitioning to safer alternatives in collaboration with stakeholders," he said.
Among the other significant petitions was the resettlement of squatters in Koiben Village, Nandi County, and Ontulili in the Mt. Kenya Forest. Duale noted that past political interference had denied many deserving Kenyans their land rights. “I pledged to engage the Cabinet to secure title deeds for affected families, tying resettlement to forest conservation efforts through Community Forest Associations.," he added.
The committee also sought the gazettement of Kaya forests for conservation purposes, the declaration of Mukutani Forest as public land, and discussions on the degazetting of Boni-Lungi Forest, which remains an active security operation zone and cannot be degazetted at this time.
“Our focus remains on fostering sustainable policies that uphold environmental stewardship and address public concerns effectively," Duale stated.
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Duale was accompanied by several senior ministry officials, including Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, Acting Forest Conservation Secretary Mr. George Tarus, Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, and Director General of NEMA Mr. Mamo Mamo.
