The Kenyan government has lifted a logging moratorium, prompting rapid deforestation and heightened environmental concerns. Activists highlight the impending threats to forests like Karura, Aberdare, and Oloolua due to government-led developments, leading to fears of irreversible ecological damage. Community protests reveal illegal land grabbing and a lack of governmental accountability that endangers conservation efforts.
In July 2023, the Kenyan government’s controversial lift of a six-year logging moratorium has led to a surge in deforestation, with trucks transporting logs seen across major highways. Currently, Kenya has only 12 percent tree cover and 8.8 percent forest cover, ranking as one of the least forested nations in Africa. Approximately 10 percent of the 1,100 native tree species in Kenya are threatened with extinction.
An environmentalist with the People’s Parliament, Auma Lynn Onyango, criticized the government for its actions. “Kenya’s government talks big on climate change and hosted the first-ever Africa Climate Summit in September 2023, just two months after lifting the logging moratorium meant to curb deforestation,” she states. The Kenya Forestry Research Institute reported six million eucalyptus trees were felled in just six months, equating to the loss of five Karura forests.
Kenya’s forest cover continuously declines, falling short of the 10 percent minimum established by the 2010 Constitution. The government’s developmental ambitions are jeopardizing forests and ecosystems, exacerbating climate change concerns. Onyango asserts that key forests, including Karura and Suam, are at risk as development takes precedence over environmental protection.
Government plans include allocating 50 acres of Suam Forest for a border project and selling 163 acres of Aberdare Forest for township expansion. There are also plans to widen a dirt road through the Aberdare Mountain Range, which aspires to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. The Environment and Land Court has placed a hold on such plans.
Concerns about illegal logging and land grabbing arose from activities in Karura Forest and Oloolua Forest. Activist Job Kamau reports ongoing tree removal in Karura with no signs of replanting. He emphasizes this reflects a broader inconsistency in the government’s environmental policies amid rising illegalities observed in the Oloolua community forest.
There are allegations of high-ranking officials aiding land grabs within Oloolua Forest, where 66 acres of land were reportedly taken. After community protests, the Kenya Forest Service halted development efforts, yet investigations into the issuing of permits remain unresolved, creating public distrust.
Additionally, recent construction activities discovered in gazetted Ngong Forest highlight systemic complicity in land acquisition issues. Community conservationist Kimeli Winston notes an increasing trend of land confiscation for private use, which is threatening forest communities.
Global Forest Watch data emphasizes that from 2001 to 2023, Kenya lost significant tree cover alongside alarming trends of devastation caused by tools such as fires. With the logging moratorium revoked, Kenya’s forests face further peril, pushing them closer to irreparable loss.
The situation of Kenya’s forests poses a critical environmental threat following the lifting of the logging moratorium. With only a fraction of tree cover remaining and alarming reports of illegal activities, the country risks the vanishing of its natural resources. Activists emphasize the need for urgent intervention to protect these vital ecosystems, reflecting a growing concern over government priorities favoring development over conservation.
Original Source: www.globalissues.org
