Transporters lose vehicles in Kajiado as charcoal crackdown continues

Police Officers from the Kenya forests and others from the Administration department guard bags of charcoal during a joint operation to stop the burning at Ilbisel Kajiado County. Thousands of bags were impounded and several people arrested.PETERSON GITHAIGA

Two Kajiado charcoal transporters have lost their vehicles to the State in the ongoing crackdown on the trade.

A Kajiado court found the two guilty of transporting charcoal after the trade was banned by the county government. Kajiado Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi ordered Elvis Omari Simiyu to forfeit his lorry (KCE 317M) and 88 bags of charcoal to the State.

Initially, the vehicle used to transport milk before county officials and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) intercepted it ferrying charcoal. Further, Mr Omari was fined Sh 60,000 or face a six months jail term.

In the same court, Charles Kiptoo also forfeited his Probox (KCD 379N) after he was found guilty of transporting four bags of charcoal. The vehicles were towed to the KFS yard.

Kajiado Conservator of Forests Stephen Kahunyo said more vehicles would be forfeited as there are cases pending in court.

“There are several cases pending. We have tight evidence and this forest yard will be full of vehicles in the next 30 days,” said Mr Kahunyo.

County Environment CEC Florence Waiganjo hailed the Judiciary for the punitive penalty saying this will deter illegal logging.

“The forfeiting of the vehicles is within the law and we warn transporters against hiring out their vehicles to charcoal traders,” said Waiganjo.

More than 50 motor bikes were also been impounded in the crackdown.

The crackdown is a joint operation between the county government, KFS and National Government officials following the ban on charcoal trade by Governor Joseph ole Lenku.