The Kenya Forest Service has defended tree harvesting exercise on a plantation section which is ongoing at Ngong Hill Forest.
The KFS dismissed a report that had been posted on the social media at the weekend, purporting that illegal logging has been happening at the Kibiku block of the Ngong forest during the night.
In a statement, the KFS clarified that the harvesting of mature trees was happening in the 56 hectrates of the plantation forest.
The KFS noted that, saw millers who were harvesting had been awarded the tender after a competitive bidding process in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015, the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2026 (FCMA 2026), the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and forest harvesting rules (2016).
Furthermore, the KFS clarified that the harvesting was conducted between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m, as stipulated under the FCMA 2026, but not night as the report posted on the social media alleged.
The KFS statement also added that, after the completion of the harvesting process, the Community Forest Association will be engaged to replant more trees through the Plantation Enterprise and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS).
Reacting on that issue, a CFA member John Mwathi said that the Pelis program which replaced the old “Shamba System”, involves CFA members as well as the communities living near the forest being allocated with lands where they cultivate the plots allocated to them, plant food crops and at thay time, the KFS with its partners plants seedling of other trees.
“In a whole block, over 1,000 people benefits with plots of quarter of an acre lands, where they do crop farming. During that time, tree are planted” he says.
“While someone is cultivating, adding fertilizer, insecticides or doing any other care for their food crop, the planted tree also benefits. Infact the tree planted grows fast and healthy” Mwathi who is also a pastor said.
Mwathi added that, the forest is classified into plantation and natural forests, clarifying that they largely benefit with plantation sections, where trees are harvested and replanted.
He said they support President William Ruto’s, directive of seeing 15 billion trees planted by 2032.
“The government is very keen on how it runs it’s affairs. It is aware that there are mature trees even as it embarks on achieving the presidential directive” he added.
However, the KFS statement also noted that the social media post also had a photo of a trailer loaded with logs at night, adding that the vehicle had broken down and had been undergoing repairs.
The KFS was concerned in it’s statement that the social media post did not establish that the harvesting activities were taking place at night.
Further, the KFS urges members of the public to seek clarification from the nearest KFS station on any concerns regarding forest management and harvesting activities.
KFS urges the public to rely on verified information when commenting on the matter and to report all suspicious activities to the nearest police station for investigations or email info@kenyaforestservice.org
