Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo and Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi have come under intense scrutiny after being summoned by Parliament over claims of illegal land allocation within the Ngong Road Forest.
The two top officials are expected to appear before the National Assembly’s Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining on June 19, following repeated failures to honor previous invitations.
The committee, led by MP Kiprop Kamuren, is currently investigating serious allegations of irregularities in the management of forest land.
The central issue is whether sections of public land in Ngong Forest, which were designated for conservation purposes, were unlawfully handed over to private investors.
This has triggered alarm among environmentalists and members of the public, as part of the forest appears to have been fenced off, cutting off public access.
Construction of a high-end hotel is reportedly ongoing within the restricted area, raising fears of environmental degradation and land grabbing.
Mulongo and Mugambi have ignored the committee’s summons three times, which has drawn widespread condemnation from lawmakers who view this as a lack of respect for parliamentary authority and an evasion of public accountability.
Their continued absence has stirred speculation about the Ministry’s transparency in managing public resources, particularly forest lands.
The committee has also raised other serious concerns, including accusations that the two officials were involved in undervaluing a prime forest area near Moi International Airport.
The value of the land in question allegedly dropped from Ksh3 billion to a suspiciously low figure of Ksh500 million, prompting questions about possible corruption and misconduct.
Despite growing public outcry, the CS and PS have not issued any clear explanation regarding the ongoing hotel construction at Ngong Forest Road. Their silence and disregard for parliamentary inquiries have only fueled anger among MPs and concerned citizens.
MP Kamuren criticized the CS for skipping the summons for the third time, emphasizing the importance of government transparency and responsibility, especially in matters concerning environmental conservation.
“The public deserves honest answers. When leaders ignore such serious issues, it weakens trust in government institutions,” he stated.
Kamuren went on to say that the growing frustration among young people, especially Gen Zs, is partly driven by such displays of impunity and lack of accountability by those in leadership.
He noted that repeated failure to engage with Parliament over critical issues like environmental protection only deepens public dissatisfaction.
Another lawmaker, Titus Lotee, MP for Kacheliba, expressed concern over the Ministry’s apparent reluctance to face the committee. “When a Principal Secretary fails to appear even after multiple summons, it clearly suggests that something is being hidden.
There’s a lack of transparency in how this matter is being handled,” Lotee said.
Lotee further warned that if the CS and PS continue to avoid accountability, Parliament might be left with no choice but to mobilize the public for peaceful demonstrations. “If they are not ready to give answers through the proper channels, then we will have to take this issue to the public.
Let the people raise their voices and demand the truth,” he said.
The ongoing dispute has brought to light serious concerns about the management of Kenya’s natural resources, the integrity of public institutions, and the need for leaders to honor their duty to serve with honesty and openness.
The parliamentary committee insists that the CS and PS must appear before them to explain the alleged land irregularities and clarify the legality of the hotel construction in Ngong Forest.
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