Sextortion, Early Pregnancies and Firewood Allegations in Mt Elgon Forest, Kenya Forest Service Responds

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has denied allegations that forest rangers in Mt Elgon give out firewood to young girls in exchange of sexual favours.In an official statement KFS explained that no cases have been reported or recorded to the service or any law enforcement agency within the county.

Part of their statement read, “Routine supervision, patrols and administrative checks conducted in forest stations within the Mt Elgon ecosystem have not revealed any evidence to support claims of sexual exploitation or any form of gender-based offences by Forest Rangers,”

KFS also raised concern about the general nature of the allegations saying they lacked details like forest stations, dates and or the identities of alleged perpetrators. The Service noted that the report in question referenced Chepkurkur Primary School with incidents linked to Sabaot Land Defence Force which date back to 2006-2008.

The Service stated that it is unlikely that primary school children walked 12 kilometers from Chepkurkur Primary School to the forest boundary to collect firewood. They also refuted claims that the high rates of early pregnancies in schools within the area in 2023/2024 are linked to firewood collection in the forested area.

KFS admitted that during 2006-2008 period , when forest stations like Kaboywa, Cheptais and Kaberwa were controlled by the SLDF , several atrocities were reported. However they insisted that there are no recorded cases implicating forest officers in gender- based violence within that period.

The Forest service maintained that their forest officers including forest rangers are trained on work ethics, professionalism and the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) in forest management. They reiterated their Zero tolerance on gender based violence and assured the public that any reported cases would be investigated and action taken against perpetrators.

“Anyone with information or who has been a victim is urged to report the matter to the nearest police station,” KFS stated.

KFS reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of forest-adjacent communities and maintaining the integrity of the Service.