The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has reiterated that no illegal construction will be allowed within gazetted forest land, confirming that it blocked the transportation of building materials intended for the reconstruction of Loramoru Primary School in Baringo County, which was recently demolished by the agency.

Speaking to the press, Baringo County Forest Conservator Ann Nyaoke maintained that Loramoru Primary School is located inside a protected forest. She explained that, through the Director of Education, an alternative parcel of land outside the forest has already been secured and that construction of a new school facility is set to begin immediately.

Tensions escalated on February 2 after police officers were forced to fire shots into the air to disperse residents of Mukutani who were hurling stones at a convoy of trucks ferrying building materials to the disputed site. The situation further intensified when KFS blocked the route using its own vehicle, preventing the trucks from accessing the area.

The incident caused anxiety among residents living in Mukutani, an area with a painful history of ethnic conflict that previously led to mass displacement and loss of lives. Many locals expressed fear that the confrontation could reopen old wounds in a region that has only recently enjoyed relative peace.

Loramoru Primary School had remained closed for more than 13 years after residents fled the area due to insecurity. In 2016, the land was officially gazetted as forest. However, following the restoration of peace, the school was reopened in 2024 as the community returned to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

Residents claim they were only informed that the land had been turned into a forest after their return, a move they have strongly protested. The community insists that no public participation was conducted prior to the gazettement, a concern that continues to fuel anger and resistance among locals.