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Forests are amongst the most valuable renewable resource in Africa – millions of us are dependent on them. Climate change is a major long term threat, the charcoal industry supplying domestic fuel for countless people in Africa’s towns (see my article for the BBC about this). But there’s an even more sinister threat – land allocation. I have invited my good friend and Colleague, Mr. Ali Kaka, the Executive Director of the East African Wildlife Society to brief us on what is happening. Dear Friends, a controversy is brewing over the alignment of a section of electric fence intended to protect Mount Kenya – or should I say mis-alignment? You may already know from the Mount Kenya blog that this mountain is vital water catchment for the entire country, and site of special biodiversity that is a designated National Park and a World Heritage Site to boot. Clearly, this is so because it’s importance has been recognized internationally no less. Conservationists are raising an alarm about the Waguziru/Karichota section of this forest which essentially has been re-aligned away from the Forest Reserve boundary leaving thousands of acres of forest unprotected and vulnerable to encroachment and destruction. This photograph below show the fence line from the air, one can clearly see how parts of the forest have been deliberately left out.
We don’t have all the facts yet, there seems to be a lot of confusion about why this fence was re-aligned. Some suggesting that it’s an attempt to hive off part of the Mt. Kenya National Forest Reserve illegally, what we call land grabbing in Kenya. Ironically, the fence was supposed to be a solution, not a cause of threats. Kenya just can’t afford to lose any more forest. I’ll be keeping you updated on this rather ominous development. We estimate the area of forest that is being left out is about 3,000 acres. It is part of the original forest gazettment of the Mt Kenya World heritage site. Implications for conservation are primarily the loss of mature natural forest and threat to vital water catchment for this part of Mt Kenya - major river is the Burguret river with several tributaries that lead into the Burguret will be outside the new fence. For elephants it is important as important salt licks are also outside the fence. It is believed that the elephants on Mt Kenya are limited by nutrients hence their dependence on mineral deposits at various places around the mountain and if they loose access to these this is likely to limit population growth – the theory needs more research but it may explain why they are so dependent on these rich mineral areas. I’ve been informed that the community were led to believe that there was no choice regarding the new alignment. And they fear that the realignment of the fence is just a preliminary to inevitable land-grabbing or degazettment of this part of the forest. I will keep you informed as to how you can help us to stop this unnecessary loss and destruction of our Mt. Kenya forests. Ali Kaka
15 Comments posted on "Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. Kenya"
Lisa on October 8th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Thank you Ali Kaka for this story. Yes, please keep us updated. Who is actually putting up the fence and doing the “land grabbing?” Lisa, California
Virginia on October 9th, 2007 at 12:38 am
I am very sorry to hear about this. On the other hand, this fence system in place sounds to me like an excellent idea to preserve the area. I just wonder whether it could be applied to Virunga in DRC?
Christina/San Diego,CA on October 11th, 2007 at 12:40 am
I would definitely like an update on this ‘fence’ issue. Virginia, good question: might Virunga benefit from such a fence?
Kenya » Blog Archives » Report from Kenya: Constitutional Court considers the legitimacy ... on October 11th, 2007 at 3:22 am
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaDear Friends, a controversy is brewing over the alignment of a section of electric fence intended to protect Mount Kenya – or should I say mis-alignment? You may already know from the Mount Kenya blog that this mountain is vital water … […]
William on October 11th, 2007 at 10:26 am
The motive behind the mis-alignment of the fence can best be answered by certain Kenya Forest Service senior officers and the dubious local MP (Murungaru). This is phase one of an excision and eventual vote buying scheme.
Kenya » Blog Archives » Kenya: Coffee Auction Prices Hit New High on October 11th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaDear Friends, a controversy is brewing over the alignment of a section of electric fence intended to protect Mount Kenya – or should I say mis-alignment? You may already know from the Mount Kenya blog that this mountain is vital water … […]
Fencing » Blog Archives » Best Foilist on October 13th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaWe don’t have all the facts yet, there seems to be a lot of confusion about why this fence was re-aligned. Some suggesting that it’s an attempt to hive off part of the Mt. Kenya National Forest Reserve illegally, what we call land … […]
Fencing » Blog Archives » For the Future of Fencing - A Discussion on October 13th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaDear Friends, a controversy is brewing over the alignment of a section of electric fence intended to protect Mount Kenya – or should I say mis-alignment? You may already know from the Mount Kenya blog that this mountain is vital water … […]
Fencing » Blog Archives » Redwood: A Beautiful, Environmentally Smart Fencing Option on October 13th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaDear Friends, a controversy is brewing over the alignment of a section of electric fence intended to protect Mount Kenya – or should I say mis-alignment? You may already know from the Mount Kenya blog that this mountain is vital water … […]
Fencing » Blog Archives » Everything You Need to Know About Fencing on October 14th, 2007 at 6:44 am
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaWe don’t have all the facts yet, there seems to be a lot of confusion about why this fence was re-aligned. Some suggesting that it’s an attempt to hive off part of the Mt. Kenya National Forest Reserve illegally, what we call land … […]
Fencing » Blog Archives » available practice space in Astoria NY (Queens) on October 17th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaWe don’t have all the facts yet, there seems to be a lot of confusion about why this fence was re-aligned. Some suggesting that it’s an attempt to hive off part of the Mt. Kenya National Forest Reserve illegally, what we call land … […]
Global Voices Online » Environment: The Greening of Nairobi and Possible Land Grabbing at Mt. Kenya on October 20th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
[…] update on the fence realignment away from a gazetted section of Mount Kenya forest area. The post “Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. Kenya” includes an aerial photograph showing the fence that cordons off part of the forest. What this […] […] Misy sary nalaina avy teny an’habakabaka mampiseho ny fefy mamakivaky ny ala ny lahatsoratra “Famefena sy fanahiana hisian’ny fandraofan-tany eny an-tendrombohitry Kenya”. Nampidirina tao koa ny dikan’ny fefy raha jerena ny biby sy ny manodidina ny […]
Fencing » Blog Archives » 1932 Olympic fencing champ Ellen Mueller-Preis dies at age 95 on December 2nd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
[…] Fencing and fears of land grabbing at Mt. KenyaDear Friends, a controversy is brewing over the alignment of a section of electric fence intended to protect Mount Kenya – or should I say mis-alignment? You may already know from the Mount Kenya blog that this mountain is vital water … […]
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