MPs intervene after trees near Eldoret Airport spark controversy
By Kiprono Keileb, September 2, 2025The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining has embarked on a three-day fact-finding mission in Eldoret to investigate claims of undervaluation of Eucalyptus Grandis forest cover near Eldoret International Airport and Boma Airstrip.
The committee, chaired by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka and deputised by Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren, announced that the visit, running from September 3 to 5, 2025, will also involve a series of stakeholder engagements aimed at addressing the controversy.
According to Parliament’s communication, the inquiry was triggered by concerns raised over the alleged undervaluation of Eucalyptus plantations within the affected areas. Stakeholders, including residents, conservation groups, and forestry experts, have questioned whether the value assigned to the forest cover reflects its true environmental and economic worth.
Why Eldoret’s eucalyptus forest matters
The Eucalyptus Grandis species around Eldoret has been a key feature in both commercial forestry and environmental conservation. However, the claims of undervaluation have sparked fears that the forest may be at risk of exploitation or mismanagement, potentially shortchanging the public and undermining conservation efforts.
The MPs leading the mission have emphasised that the exercise is not just about figures, but about accountability and sustainable management of natural resources. The committee is expected to meet with forestry officials, conservation stakeholders, and community representatives to establish how the valuation was conducted and whether due process was followed.
Parliament underscored that the mission reflects its mandate to safeguard the country’s natural resources and ensure that Kenyans benefit from their proper management.
“Stakeholder Engagement by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining in Eldoret,” the statement read, highlighting the need for dialogue and transparency.
The findings from the three-day engagement are expected to inform parliamentary recommendations on how to strengthen oversight in the forestry sector and prevent future undervaluation disputes.
As the mission gets underway, the spotlight is firmly on Eldoret, with local communities and environmental stakeholders hoping that the outcome will secure both accountability and the long-term protection of the Eucalyptus forest cover near one of Kenya’s busiest aviation corridors.