KFS put on spotlight over forest destruction

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Civic leaders on Friday morning stormed Taita-Taveta County Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Co-ordinator offices to protest at wanton destruction of forests.

The 22 councillors raided the offices in Wundanyi town and took to task the county forest coordinator Allan Ongere, claiming the office was abetting forest destruction.

Led by Council chairman Aresmus Mwarabu, the leaders expressed concern over the loss of forest cover and accused KFS office of doing little to protect the environment.

Earlier, the councillors had chased away a merchant who had been authorised to fell trees around government offices and along Wundanyi road reserve.

“We’ll not allow the forest department to continue abetting forest destruction. The trend is responsible for diminishing water towers leading to biodiversity loss,” said Cllr Mwarabu.

Wundanyi Ward Councillor Ginton Mwachofi said the council had not been consulted.

However, Mr Ongere hit out at the leaders accusing them of interfering with his work. “Why are you interfering with my roles? I am only a technical person and you should stop usurping my roles,” he said.

He said the district technical environment committee recently met and resolved that all dangerous trees around government offices and along road reserves be felled to prevent accidents.