STAFF SENT HOME OVER FOREST DESTRUCTION

Wanton destruction- CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko, with Mbooni MP, Hon. Kivaso and the CCF,Mr. Kamau, pointing at a tree trump that was left by loggers at the Kivale forest.

Four Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers attached to Mbooni conservancy, Makueni County have been interdicted for allegedly abetting and aiding illegal logging and charcoal burning in Kivale Forest.

The Ecosystems Conservator; the Chief Inspector; the forester; and the ranger, will face disciplinary action together with their accomplices.

Speaking at the Kivale Forest, in Mbooni Sub-County, Makueni, after a fact finding mission following public outcry from local leaders and residents, that, illegal logging and charcoal burning was taking place in the forest despite the existing ban, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of  Environment and Forestry, Mr.  Keriako Tobiko, took the opportunity to sent a stern warning to KFS officers, Regional and County Commissioners and local administrators that they risk losing their jobs, if they will not stop forest destruction under their jurisdiction.

“I wonder who has the audacity and guts to defy a Presidential directive, to protect forests “the CS posed.

The CS said that, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), will be brought on board to investigate and arrest the illegal loggers.

The CS directed both the KFS and Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA), to come up with a restoration program of Kivale forest and other forest blocks in Makueni County in the next two weeks.

He also directed the Kenya Forest Service to ensure that an operational Community Forest Association for the Mbooni conservancy is constituted within the next 30 days.

The CS was accompanied in the tour by the Makueni Senator, Hon. Mutula Kilonzo Junior, who supported  the formation of the Community Forest Association (CFA), and called on the protection of whistle blowers, who were giving crucial information on destruction of the forest.
Present during the function were, the KFS chairman Mr. Peter Kinyua, the KWTA chairman Dr. Julius Malombe, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr.Julius Kamau, the Mbooni Member of Parliament, Hon. Erastus Kivasu, Makueni Member of Parliament, Hon.Daniel Maanzo, the Mbooni West Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. John Kibe Maguta and the Makueni County Assembly majority Leader, Hon. Kyalo Mumo, among others.

Action- CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko exchanging views, with Makueni Senator, Hon. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, CCF, Mr. Kamau and Mbooni MP, Hon. Kivaso, at the Kivale forest.