About 3, 000 cedar posts worth Sh.600, 000 have been intercepted by Narok Forest Service Patrol team at Nkareta area near Maasai Mau forest.
Confirming the incident, Narok County Ecosystem Conservator, Mwai Muraguri said they got an alert from wananchi who informed them of suspected people transporting the logs from the forest.
“Last evening, we got reliable information from the members of the public that there were some loggers at Nkareta area bordering Mau forest. We responded swiftly and nabbed 2, 950 cedar posts where we destroyed 1, 300 at the scene,” said Muraguri.
The KFS official also confirmed that no one has been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that they have launched a manhunt on the suspects.
He called on the public to desist from destruction of the ecosystem and further reminded them that anyone willing to do logging in private land should follow the due process to avoid arrest.
Muraguri said the war against logging in the county was on top gear and asked the members of the public and local leaders to join forces with the local security team in tackling the logging menace.
The Narok Chief Forester, Dickson Ole Keiwa said they have intensified security in the forest in a bid to curb increased logging and charcoal burning in the forest.
Keiwa sounded a stern warning to the locals engaging in the forest destruction, saying they would face the full force of the law.
“The law is very clear on illegal logging in government forests and I am calling upon the locals living around Mau forest to desist from the illegal activities because should we get hold of you, you will definitely end up in jail,” warned the County Forester.
The Nkareta Ward MCA, James Kiok thanked the Kenya Forest and Kenya Wildlife Service for the arrests and warned Nkareta residents to desist from logging.
“I thank the KFS, KWS and other county security agents for their swift response when the locals raised alarm. Illegal logging is a threat to our environment and we want it to end,” said the Ward Rep.
The Government has extended the ban on logging from three months to six months to restore the country’s dwindling forest cover.
By Ann Salaton
