Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has said people have begun invading forests to cut down trees after President William Ruto lifted the ban on logging.
While speaking during the launch of parliamentary conservation and climate change conference on Thursday, July 13, CS Tuya urged lawmakers to protect and save forests from human destruction.
The Environment CS pointed out Kareta Forest in and Sasimwani Forest, saying people living in the areas engage in illegal activities threatening conservation efforts.
She added that some of these culprits lease out forest land, something that has led to the interdiction of some of the officers.
“There are several other forests including, Kareta Forest in Narok North and Sasimwa Forest, where we have Kenyans who think the forests are free for them to go and erect structures and engage in illegal activities as well as lease out forest land,” She stated.
Also Read: President Ruto Lifts Ban on Logging
The CS however defended the decision to lift the ban on logging, saying agro-forestry and commercial forestry is part of the plan to boost the timber industry that is currently doing bad.
“One of the reasons we have commercial plantations in our gazetted forests is because they were established for the purpose of industrial or commercial forest products.” CS Tuya explained.
She further warned that the government will not tolerate any illegal activity, adding that her ministry will provide clear instructions on logging.
Likewise, CS Tuya revealed that her ministry has deployed more rangers to curb the increasing rate of illegal activities in the forests.
Ruto Vs Environmental Activists
Nonetheless, President William Ruto on July 2, 2023, lifted the ban on logging in state forests after retired President Uhuru Kenyatta imposed it five years ago.
According to the head of state, the ban was long overdue, and it is time for saw millers to harvest mature trees. The president said mature trees were rotting in the forest while locals who depend on forest produce suffered.
The president’s decision to lift the ban on logging in state forests sparked mixed reactions from different players.
Also Read: Environmentalists Criticize President Ruto for Lifting Ban on Logging
A section of environmentalists criticized the decision saying it would accelerate deforestation and the efforts put in place to conserve and preserve the environment will go to waste.
“This move will retrogressively undermine the efforts made by the previous regime to protect the environment.
After lifting the ban on logging, I hope the government will follow the regulations put in place so that we don’t reduce forest covers even much further,” stated Bosco Juma, the Chief Executive Officer of Bigship – an environmental establishment based in Mombasa.
