Environmental activist Elizabeth Wathuti has said that baobab trees are indigenous and should be protected.
Chiming into the Kilifi baobabs controversy, she said that instead of uprooting and exporting the trees to Georgia, they should be exploited for their double benefits.
“Baobabs have unexplored potential that protects nature and provides income for people at the same time. This is a long-term win-win solution that the Government needs to explore,” she said.
There is a new trend in Kilifi county where giant mature baobab trees are being uprooted and sold abroad for between Sh100,000 and Sh300,000.
The Star reported that farmers in Tezo, Kilifi county, have so far sold tens of trees to foreign contractors, who ship the trees to transplant them in the United States.
“Research shows that baobab trees, commonly called the iconic trees of life, grow in 32 countries in Africa and can live for 5,000 years,” the Star reported.
Wathuti said on Monday that after two weeks of pushing for Climate and environmental protection at COP27, she is concerned to find that back home, the indigenous tree is under threat.
“It’s ironical finding out that we are uprooting and exporting Baobab trees to Georgia!” she said.
Environmentalist Dr Paula Kahumbu also raised alarm over the issue last week saying that there must be adequate authorization for such to happen and an equitable benefit-sharing formula for Kenyans.
President William Ruto responded by saying he had informed the Ministry of Environment to look into the matter.
Wathuti said that Kilifi is already worst hit by drought and these actions will continue to hurt the area’s biodiversity.
“Mr President, instead of uprooting and exporting baobabs to Georgia, the value addition of baobab powder and shared tourism benefits would generate income for local communities protecting these indigenous trees,” she said.
