Kenya can harvest forests worth Sh32 billion - Wekesa

PETER ORENGO

A ban on logging in Kenya is denying the country over sh32 billion.

Forestry Minister Noah Wekesa said Kenya can earn the billions from harvesting its mature forests.

Wekesa said he will petition the government to lift the ban so that Kenya Forest Service could harvest the mature trees getting spoilt in various forest plantations in the country.

"These trees have matured over 11 years. If we leave them they will rot and the government will go at a loss. This country could do a lot with Sh32 billion," Wekesa said.

The minister was speaking during the launch of Miti Mingi Maisha Bora implementation programme, sponsored by the Finnish government.

He said together with forest stakeholders he would petition the government to lift the ban put in place years ago to stop rampant logging that saw many forests including the Mau, threatened.

"As we harvest our mature trees, we will make sure that we replant where we have logged," he added.

The minister also announced that Kenyans who live next to forests could partner with Kenya Forest Service to conserve the forest.

This would be legally arranged so that both parties benefit.

The Finnish Envoy to Kenya, Heli Sirva, asked Kenyans to consider trees as a source of wealth.

"I am aware that the review of the forest Act to make it responsive to the new constitution has been identified as an activity to be supported by forest program this financial year," she said.

She expressed confidence that the Government’s renewed effort in fighting Corruption would also tame the forces that saw Kenyans forests diminish to near extinction.

"The promulgation of the new constitution has presented an opportunity for Kenyans to address challenges of accountability transparency, impunity, corruption and abuse of authority," said Sirva.

"In my view, we have already started seeing encouraging steps taken towards action and improvement needed by the government," She added.

Ms. Sirva whose government donated Sh2 billion to go into the reforestation programme noted that international confidence is evident after the promulgation of the new constitution, which emphasizes good governance.

Forestry Minister Noah Wekesa assured the envoy of the government’s commitment to tackle graft.

"The way Kenya has done business before is something we want to forget so that we embrace this new governance style. In the past we lost many partners due to corruption. This has to stop," said the Forestry Minster.

Wekesa said Kenyans are now much aware that when they steal from the government they would end up in jail, no matter which position one holds.