This archive report was first published on 28 June 2021.
June 28, 2021
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia has called on the government to lift the ban on logging in public and community forests, arguing that it has severely affected residents who rely on the timber industry for their livelihood.
The Governor made the remarks during the signing of the Transition Implementation Plans (TIPs) between the county and the national government, witnessed by Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau.
Kimemia emphasized that the withdrawal of the ban should be carefully managed to ensure that the forest cover continues to increase despite logging activities.
He also advocated for the creation of a legal framework that would enable counties to benefit directly from revenue generated from forestry resources.
“Development and implementation of the joint inspections procedure with Council of Governors and implementation as Counties are a step in the right direction,” Kimemia said.
However, he urged the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) to work closely with the respective departments to transfer functions to the counties, allowing them to reap from these resources.
Reacting to the Governor’s sentiments, Chief Conservator Kamau stated that the moratorium was partially lifted last year to allow the harvesting of about 5,000 hectares of mature and over-mature plantations.
“We shall consider and be sensitive on how we perform that exercise to ensure it is performed in a transparent and effective manner and in accordance with the procurement act that governs us as a country,” Kamau clarified.
The government imposed a moratorium on logging in public and community forests in 2018, which drew criticism from sawmillers and timber products merchants who complained of massive job losses.
Fig. 1: Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia and Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau signing the Transition Implementation Plans (TIPs) between the county and the national governments.
