The Kenyan Forest Service, in the past two years has registered major milestones in forest conservation and protection in line with the Government Agenda of achieving a 10% tree cover by 2022.
Despite the milestones, the service notes that there are still remaining a few hotspot forest stations identified through an elaborate forest intelligence and investigation network which reveals cases of illegal forest activities that needs to be addressed.
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Julius Kamau spoke during an impromptu visit to Tendeno, Sorget, Makutano and Kuresoi Forest Stations in Kericho County that aimed to put an end to any further forest illegalities.
The CCF, noted during his visit, a few officials within the service are engaging in corrupt engagements with some industry players with the imagination of influencing the allocation of the anticipated disposal of 5,000Ha of forest plantation material with the false hope of benefitting irregularly from the process.
“Preliminary investigation reveal a syndicate involving a few rogue KFS officers cutting across all ranks have been colluding with some forest industry players to execute forest illegalities with charcoal, firewood and round pole”
Kamau pointed out that once investigations are finalized the forest industry player found culpable of corrupt engagements will be named, shamed and banned from conducting any business with the service in accordance with the law.
“The service has made gains through partnership with the public who are now more than ever before aware of the benefits that forest resources provide to the nation, a collective gain made by KFS through awareness creation undertaken by its noble field officers. “Majority of the workforce will not allow any gains made to be eroded by a few elements” emphasized Mr Kamau