Environment Committee visits Eldoret Airport over forest cover valuation dispute

 

The National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining on Friday conducted a fact-finding visit to Eldoret International Airport to establish the true value of a 600-acre eucalyptus forest following public outcry over alleged undervaluation of the trees.

Led by Committee Chairperson Hon. Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), the lawmakers toured the forest to verify valuation discrepancies reported between various government agencies over the past decade. The Committee’s intervention comes after reports emerged that the value of the forest had sharply declined despite its growth and maturity over time.

According to records, the first valuation done in 2014 placed the trees’ worth at KES 406 million. A subsequent assessment by the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning in 2016 revised the figure upward to KES 2.1 billion. However, a new valuation report issued in 2021 on request by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) quoted KES 1.2 billion, reflecting a significant reduction of KES 861 million.

The Committee invited top officials including KAA Acting CEO Dr. Mohammed Gedi, Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, and Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna to provide clarification on the differing valuations and justify the downward revisions.

Appearing before the Committee, Dr. Gedi explained that the forest project was initiated to make use of idle airport land and generate revenue for KAA operations. He said KAA had engaged the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to value the trees, who reported a figure “slightly above KES 400 million.” The disposal plan, he added, was undertaken through a competitive tendering process that attracted six bidders.

“Blocks 1, 3 and 5 were allocated to large-scale sawmillers as per KFS prequalification certificates, while blocks 2, 4 and 6 were reserved for small and medium millers,” said Dr. Gedi.

Ministry officials, led by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Mulongo and Principal Secretary for Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, informed the Committee that earlier valuations had relied on hypothetical approaches and secondary data, whereas the later ones involved more detailed enumeration and classification of trees.

They acknowledged the need for clearer legal frameworks and standardized methods for tree valuation, citing South Africa as a country that has successfully adopted digital technology to enhance transparency and accuracy in the process.

The Committee urged the Ministry to collaborate with Parliament and relevant stakeholders to strengthen laws governing forest valuation and management, ensuring public resources are safeguarded and environmental projects remain economically viable.