This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno has called on Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to lift a moratorium on charcoal movement permits, which has been in place since 2019.
The ban has caused significant hardship for wattle tree farmers in the North Rift region, who rely on charcoal farming as their primary source of income.
Speaking at his office on November 14, 2019, Chemno emphasized the need for the government to review the moratorium and allow farmers to harvest their wattle trees for charcoal production.
“In the next two weeks, I expect the CS to give a direction on how charcoal from private farms should be moved. I feel the farmers are being punished from reaping from their sweat. These people entirely depend on charcoal farming,” Chemno said.
Chemno's appeal comes as wattle tree farmers, led by Joel Mudahana, continue to face economic difficulties due to the ban on charcoal movement.
“There are a variety of trees especially on riparian areas which are never cut but I feel the government is punishing me from harvesting the wattle trees for charcoal burning,” Mudahana said.
The deputy governor also emphasized the county's commitment to achieving the 10 per cent forest cover, while also acknowledging the economic struggles of the farmers.
