Kenya Forest Service interdicts four officers in Makueni County

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has interdicted four officers over illegal logging in Makueni County.

The four were found guilty after investigations indicated that they failed to prevent the illegal cutting of trees in South Mbooni Forest Block (Kivale).

The affected officers are the Ecosystem Conservator, County Enforcement Commander; Forest Station Manager and a Corporal.

The Service has also put in place measures to halt further destruction of the forest by deploying a rapid response unit to the forest to crack down on perpetrators of forest destruction.

Following the crackdown, the Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau said that he will not allow few individuals to taint the image of the agency.

He added that the majority of his staff are hard-working, dedicated and committed to their core business which is to manage, conserve and protect forestry resources Nationally.

Kamau called upon all forest neighbours and stakeholders to report any vice promptly and consequently assured them of a guaranteed response.

He also lauded the community in Mbooni for practicing on farm tree planting and for promoting forest conservation by being vigilant against threats affecting forests.

Illegal logging is a setback to government’s plan to have at least 10 per cent forest cover by 2030, a move, that is part of the measures being undertaken to mitigate climate change.

Last year, the government announced a plan to employ the services of the National Youth Service and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in an aggressive replanting of indigenous trees for at least three years, to help the country’s forest cover regenerate.