How sandalwood fuels lucrative illegal logging in Kenya

Sandalwood worth 20 million that was impounded at Sirata in Marigat Sub-county transported in a police vehicle attached Kasiela Operation camp in Baringo South on December 12, 2015.The driver who is a police officer was arrested during the scum and detained at Kabarnet police station. PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH

NAIROBI: A fresh smuggling war is going on right under the nation’s nose, the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) has warned. The battle ground has been well defined in a winner takes all phenomenon. Unfortunately, not enough is being done and soon, all that will remain will be relics of a war that should have been won.

Not even the scent of the much sought after sandalwood will be left to tell the story of consistent and methodical cutting of an endangered species.