DP RUTO EXTENDS FORESTRY TASK FORCE TENURE

The Deputy President Mr. William Ruto, has approved a request to extend the tenure of office by the Taskforce established to inquire into forest resources management and logging activities in Kenya.

The taskforce was tasked to deliver an interim report after 14 days and a complete report within 30 days after the 5^th of March 2018. It presented the interim report to the Environment Cabinet Secretary on the 19^th of March and the findings and recommendations are under active consideration by the executive.

There are a number of critical activities that are still pending including field visits, consultative meetings, public hearings and an in-depth analysis of the pertinent memoranda, petitions and requests received by the taskforce which led to request for extension of their tenure.

The Deputy President through communication relayed by Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Mr. keriako Tobiko  granted a 30 day extension to the taskforce to enable it to conclusively tie up  the assignment.

The Deputy President has also instructed the Cabinet Secretary to urgently convene a consultative meeting to address and clarify issues of concern raised by stakeholders regarding the scope of the earlier declared moratorium on the Taskforce. The meeting is scheduled to take place in the first week of April.