The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has vehemently denied claims of sexual exploitation against its forest rangers in Bungoma County, stating that no such cases have been reported to them or other law enforcement agencies. This denial comes in response to an article by Citizen Digital alleging sexual exploitation by KFS officers within the Mt. Elgon forest ecosystem.

• On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, KFS released a statement refuting claims made in an article published on February 9, 2026.
• The forest conservator highlighted the lack of specific sites, dates, or identities of alleged perpetrators in the accusations.
• KFS noted that Chepkurkur Primary School is approximately 12 kilometres from the forest boundary, making the claim of primary school girls walking that distance for firewood unlikely.
• A 2023/2024 investigation into high rates of early pregnancies in the region did not link it to firewood collection in gazetted forests.
• KFS assured stakeholders that it does not condone gender-based violence (GBV) and encourages victims to report incidents to the police for thorough investigation.