This archive report was first published on 15 November 2019.
On November 14, 2019, Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno met with Joel Lagong, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) board director, at his office to discuss the charcoal ban.
Chemno urged Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to review the moratorium on charcoal movement permits, which has been in place since the ban was implemented.
He argued that the ban has made life difficult for wattle tree farmers in the North Rift region, who rely on charcoal farming as their primary source of income.
"I feel the farmers are being prevented from reaping from their sweat," Chemno said. "These people entirely depend on charcoal farming."
Joel Mudahana, a wattle tree farmer, echoed Chemno's sentiments, stating that the ban has made life harder for him and his fellow farmers.
"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.
Chemno emphasized that the county is committed to achieving the 10 per cent forest cover goal, but believes that the ban on charcoal movement permits is not the solution.
