Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come under sharp criticism for revealing last week that the government will allow a return of the “shamba system”, that which permits the public to farm inside gazette forests.

While addressing Baringo residents, Gachagua intimated the new President William Ruto administration will allow farmers to cultivate crops in forests to enhance food production.

“There was ‘Shamba System’ where locals could plant maize until the trees grow. This government is yours. We have made an order for Wananchi to be given an opportunity to cultivate in the forest to have more food," the DP said to applause from residents.

However, leaders, including in his own Kenya Kwanza coalition, have bashed the DP for the position saying it spells doom for the country’s forest cover that is already in dire straits.

Among leaders in Kenya Kwanza who have lambasted Gachagua include lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Miguna Miguna.

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Ahmednasir termed it an attempt to return land grabbing, Khalwale said it would sound a death knell to the country’s indigenous forests while Miguna termed it a bad idea.

Here are samples of those who opposed the idea:

However, some Kenyans led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and economist David Ndii backed Gachagua’s proposal despite the bad history it has in Kenya before it was outlawed.

Here are some of those supporting the idea: