- The CS said the state will use all the powers to protect forest resources even as it scales up restoration efforts.
- Duale issued the stern warning on Friday when he presided over the 47th graduation ceremony of the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho county.
Image: MIN ENV
Environment CS Aden Duale has declared war on illeagl forest activities warning those involved they will be in for a rude shock.
The tough talking CS said he will pursue all means possible to end illegal activities.
"Illegal logging, encroachment and exploitation of our forest resources have severely undermined our conservation efforts, threatening not only our environment but our future as a nation," he said.
Duale issued the stern warning on Friday when he presided over the 47th graduation ceremony of the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho county.
Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi, KFS Board chairman, Titus Korir and Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko and college principal Dr Elizabeth Wambugu were in attendance.
During the ceremony, 197 trainees graduated with various diploma and certificate qualifications.
Duale warned that illegal forest activities risk undermining Kenya's ambitious landscapes and ecosystems restoration agenda.
The CS said the state will use all the powers to protect forest resources even as it scales up restoration efforts.
The state is in the process of planting 15 billion trees to enhance forest cover to 30 per cent in 10 years.
Duale instructed Kenya Forest Service to be firm in the enforcement of forest protection laws.
Duale said the state is keen to grow 15 billion trees in a bid to tackle impacts of climate change as well as improving livelihoods.
"Together, we aim to grow 15 billion trees over the next decade and restore over 10.6 million hectares of degraded lands to productivity. This is a collective responsibility and I implore every Kenyan to play their part."
Duale urged Community Forest Associations (CFAs) to work closely with KFS, saying, as host communities, they have a key role in sustainable forest management.
He, however, said user rights granted to CFAs must not be abused.
Duale also urged KFS not to allow the expotation of raw wood veneer.
He said last month's ban still stands.
Duale said Kericho county has a target of growing 163 million new trees in 10 years as its contribution to the 15 billion national target.
The CS reiterated that there will be no direct allocation to saw millers.
Kenya has a plantation forest of 150,000 hectares.
Duale advised graduates to use their newly acquired skills, competencies and knowledge to contribute to the sustainable management of Kenya's valuable forest resources.
The graduation comes at a time the government is scaling up its efforts to enhance tree cover in the country.
Kenya is in the process of growing 15 billion trees as part of efforts to address the impacts of climate change.
Results generated from the National Forest Resources Assessment 2021 indicate that Kenya has 7,180,000.66ha of tree cover, representing 12.13 per cent of the total area.
The findings indicate that the country has 5,226,191.79ha of national forest cover, representing 8.83 per cent of the total area.