A petition has been tabled in Kenya's Parliament to degazette sections of Mt Elgon, Kakamega, and Nandi forests. The alteration would regularize existing human settlements and facilitate affordable housing projects.

• The petition, from Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah Barasa, seeks to vary forest boundaries under Section 34 of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (Cap 385).
• Affected areas include 4,647 hectares in Mt Elgon Forest, 989 hectares in South Nandi Forest, 1,241 hectares in Turbo Forest, 94.99 hectares in Kakamega Forest (Shiru area), and 36 hectares in Kakamega Forest (Shaviringa area).
• The Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula has directed the Departmental Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Forestry and the Public Petitions Committee to review the proposal and report back to the House.