Forest Service–Community Standoff in Baringo Forces Pupils to Learn Under Trees

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Pupils of Loramoru Primary School in Mukutani, Baringo County, continue to learn under trees as a deepening dispute between the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the local community stalls efforts to rebuild the school

The standoff revolves around the gazettement of Mukutani Forest. KFS maintains that Loramoru Primary School is located within protected forest land and therefore cannot be reconstructed at its current site. Local residents and parents, however, strongly oppose plans to relocate the school, arguing that the proposed alternative site is too far from their homes

Baringo County Forest Conservator Ann Nyaoke has insisted that the school lies within a protected forest area and that rebuilding on the same land is not permitted. She said the government, through the Director of Education, has already secured an alternative parcel of land outside the forest boundary, with construction expected to begin immediately to provide learners with a safe and legally compliant learning environment

The Loramoru community has rejected this position. Parents say the new site is approximately 10 kilometres away, a distance they argue is unsafe and impractical for young learners to walk daily. They warn that relocating the school could expose children to danger and lead to increased dropout rates

Loramoru Primary School headteacher Joseph Kiprop echoed these concerns, noting that many pupils already face significant hardships. He cautioned that forcing learners to trek long distances could discourage attendance and negatively affect academic performance, undermining efforts to restore education after years of disruption

Tensions escalated on February 2 when confrontations broke out between residents and authorities. Police officers fired shots into the air to disperse crowds that were hurling stones at trucks transporting building materials to the disputed site. The situation worsened when KFS vehicles blocked access roads, preventing the trucks from proceeding and intensifying the standoff

The incident rekindled fear among Mukutani residents, many of whom still bear memories of past ethnic conflicts that led to displacement and loss of life. Community members expressed concern that the ongoing dispute could reopen old wounds in an area that has only recently experienced relative stability

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Loramoru Primary School has a troubled history. It remained closed for more than 13 years after residents fled due to insecurity. In 2016, the land was officially gazetted as forest, complicating future development. Following the gradual return of peace, families began resettling in the area, leading to the school’s reopening in 2024

Parents and community leaders, including school chairman Moses Cheliteba, have vowed that if relocation proceeds, they will not send their children to the new site. Instead, they say pupils will continue learning under trees within the community until their concerns are addressed

As the standoff persists, learners remain caught in the middle—studying in harsh conditions, uncertain about their future, and hoping for a lasting solution that balances environmental conservation with the urgent need for accessible education