Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Soipan Tuya has declared an operation to address issues related to forests throughout the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, the CS acknowledged that the operation will focus on tackling problems such as unlawful logging and encroachment in forests across Kenya.
The operation has already commenced in the Mau forest, with a team consisting of various agencies led by the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner overseeing the process.
Tuya emphasized the need for the operation to be carried out in a humane manner to prevent harm to life and property.
The CS also made it clear that the operation would not impact genuine communities residing around the forests.
She stated, “Meanwhile, there are plans in motion to define forest boundaries and collaborate with both governmental and non-governmental partners to secure the forests against future violations.”
The statement further detailed that this multi-agency security operation, aimed at curtailing forest crimes such as encroachment, illegal logging, and charcoal production, would extend to all forest ecosystems nationwide.
On a different note, the CS appealed to Kenyan citizens to cooperate during this process and avoid confrontations with the multi-agency team.
Citizens who have information about forest destruction are encouraged to report it to the Ministry via the toll-free hotline, 0800724570.
This announcement from the CS follows President William Ruto’s directive to evict individuals who had encroached on Mau Forest. The President made this announcement in Narok County on October 1 and stressed the importance of fencing the water tower within the forest.
He stated, “Those who are currently within the Mau forest must vacate immediately because we are erecting a fence. This is not a request.”
Subsequently, President Ruto also ordered the dismissal of 23 Kenya Forest Service (KFS) employees who were implicated in assisting unscrupulous individuals and companies involved in illegal logging.
These measures are part of the government’s effort to address forest conservation and management issues in Kenya.
