[Source: Business Daily, by Collins Odote]
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko is seeking to reclaim part of Ngong Forest from private hands. The controversy rekindles debates about past allocations of public land by government officials.
Mr Tobiko confirmed that Francis Lotodo, a former Cabinet minister, irregularly degazetted part of the forest, leading to its being corruptly allocated to individuals who then sold it to others. These facts are contested by those whose houses are the subject of the controversy on the basis that they are genuine buyers who have genuine title deeds.
Several issues arise from the events around the Forest. First is the role of government in environmental conservation. Public forests are vested in the national government as trustees on behalf of citizens.
As a trustee, the government should ensure that it deals with the property in such a manner that it serves the interests of beneficiaries…
