This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
Published on July 16, 2019, a report by the Prime Minister's Task Force on the Conservation of the Mau Forest Complex revealed extensive degradation due to encroachment, excision, and illegal extraction of forest resources.
The report, released in March 2009, warned that the destruction threatened water resources, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
Despite recommendations to stop the destruction and restore the forest cover, politics and lack of commitment from State agencies ensured the initiative became stillborn.
Today, the Mau Forest issue remains a political hot potato, with politicians using it as a rallying point during elections, generating animosity and undermining conservation efforts.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko is grappling with the challenge of unraveling the Mau Forest conundrum and pushing through the conservation agenda.
It is time for Kenyans to take ownership of the Mau Forest issue, recognizing its significance to their lives and those of millions of others in East Africa and beyond.
