A 50km electric fence erected to secure Eburu Forest

Safaricom staff, Kenya Defence Forces soldiers and locals combine efforts to erect part of the 50km fence around Eburu Forest. [PHOTO: ANTONY GITONGA/STANDARD]

Naivasha, Kenya: The echo of a power saw reverberated from one valley to the other before the huge ageing trees crashed to the ground.

On the other end, smoke rose to the blue sky as charcoal burners conducted their illegal business. Hours later, donkeys ferrying huge sacks full of charcoal and logs from indigenous trees trooped out of the forest heading for a ready market.