Africa-Press – Kenya. Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday, November 7, 2024, announced a complete ban on farming in all legally designated natural forests in Kenya.
Duale reiterated the need to safeguard natural forests as they play a big role in the environmental ecosystem. He added that the government will be at the forefront of implementing the new directive.
“I am issuing an immediate and total ban in Cheptais and any other legally designated natural forests within our country.
“These ecosystems must be safeguarded to maintain their ecological integrity and biodiversity,” Duale stated.
Duale also issued a stern warning to those who intend to flout the new directive stating that those found guilty will face the full force of the law.
“To all our communities, government officials and Kenya Forest Service, hear this: anyone found compromising the integrity of our natural forests will not be tolerated. Anyone found guilty of engaging in activities that harm this ecosystem be it through pollution, encroachment, or illegal cultivation will face severe consequences,” Duale proclaimed.
The CS stated that the ban extends to people engaging in livestock farming and advised those doing so to cease before the government takes action. He was speaking during the launch of the Ksh 620M integrated landscape management project aimed at conserving and restoring the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.
The project is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in partnership with the Kaberwa Community Forest Association (KCFA). Through this project, the Kaberwa Tree Nursery in Kapsokwony, Bungoma County, will undergo expansion.
The Ksh 620M project will see the nursery increase its size from the current 1 to 2 acres, which Duale claimed will facilitate a more efficient and effective production process. The nursery is expected to grow its production capacity from an annual 500,000 seedlings to one million seedlings.
The expansion project is part of a broader effort to restore and rehabilitate the degraded areas of the Mt.Elgon Forest, reinforcing the government’s commitment to the 15 billion National Tree Growing Programme.
The latest ban by Duale follows his latest directive to the National Environment Management Authority to commence a crackdown on noise pollution in Nairobi.
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