The extension is to facilitate the appointment of the new board of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the interim reform implementations committee to be finalized/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 23 – The government has extended the ban on logging in public and community forests for a further period of six months.
The extension is to facilitate the appointment of the new board of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the interim reform implementations committee to be finalized.
The extension will also allow the government to undertake immediate measures to streamline the operations of KFS and the management of the forestry sector, a statement from the Ministry of Environment said.
In the meantime, implementation of the recommendations of the task force is on-going.
Deputy President William Ruto suspended logging in all forests in the country on February 26 as part of efforts by the government to respond to the drought that is sweeping the country.
The effects of logging have also been extensively captured in a report released recently by the Kenya Water Agency which called for immediate resolutions on how the issue can be addressed.
Some of the recommendations in the report include developing water towers conservation strategy, water towers to be fenced with bamboo, increase capacity to oversee and manage water towers at all levels, and promote sustainable charcoal production among others.
