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Locals living adjacent to Kaptagat Forest during a meeting at Mokwo. They have backed the fencing of the 20,000 hectare forest. [Stephen Rutto, Standard]
Residents living adjacent to Kaptagat Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County have backed the ongoing fencing of the ecosystem, dismissing opposition to the exercise ahead of the launch of the second phase of a 10-year conservation programme.
The residents accused what they described as non-local forest users of opposing the electric fence, saying the move is necessary to curb forest degradation caused by illegal grazing and logging.
Fencing of the gazetted 20,000-hectare forest began more than a month ago amid opposition from a section of residents who argued that the water catchment has long supported the livelihoods of neighbouring communities, particularly livestock keepers who graze their animals inside the forest.
