KFS Reopens Mass Tree Cutting Amidst Surge In Sales, Demand
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has announced that it has begun the mass logging of trees in government forests in Machakos County.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, March 3, the KFS CEO, Climent Ngoriareng, further clarified that the service will only cut down mature trees to pave the way for the plantation of new ones.
Ngoriareng reiterated that the government would only harvest trees in Iveti Forest and Muumandu Forest, which have trees that were planted over 30 years ago.
“If the harvesting is not done, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to lose the value of these trees because remember we invested in planting and growing of these trees for commercial purposes,” he added.
“We are very much aware that our tree cover is low, and even as we are harvesting, we are careful to ensure that we are not degrading our forest, and we call on all stakeholders to ensure that more trees are planted as soon as possible,” he added.
When the goernment harvest trees from public forests, it typically sells the timber and wood to private sawmills, logging contractors, wood dealers, or for export.
Revenue generated from these sales is typically deposited directly into the government treasury to form part of the consolidated fund, and in some cases, it is handled by the KFS to support future forest management and replanting efforts.
Last year, President William Ruto banned the importation of furniture from countries such as China in a move that was aimed at boosting the country’s manufacturing capacity.
The Head of State specifically ordered the reopening of lumbering activities in Mau Forest Complex, targeting mature trees.
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Ruto said that the country has adequate raw materials from forests to create its own furniture and no longer needs the support of other countries.
The president further said that the government will ensure that it sets up more wood-processing factories near forests across the country to ensure that commercial trees are fully utilised.
“We shall reopen this timber factory here (Elburgon) because I have told my Minister of Trade, Lee Kinyanjui, that this tendency of importing furniture…seats and beds from China, must end. We will use our wood to make furniture,” Ruto stated.
“Furniture to be used in Kenya will use timber made from here, and our Kenyan youth will create that furniture,” he added.
KFS Reopens Mass Tree Cutting Amidst Surge In Sales, Demand
