Kenya, Kericho: The Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, has said that the Service will deploy a substantial number of rangers to reverse the trend of forest crimes in Kericho County.
He said that in the last year, while the country witnessed various forms of forest crimes, Kericho led in the prevalence of criminal activities, reversing the gains in forest conservation.
Alex Lemarkoko was addressing a tree planting baraza earlier today in Londiani Forest Station that was presided over by the State Department of Forestry Principal Secretary, Mugambi Gitonga. The event was also graced by the State Department of Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary, Festus Ng’eno, and the Kenya Forest Service Chairman of the Board of Directors, Titus Korir, among other leaders.
In the last year, more than 12 rangers were severely injured in the line of duty, with one left paralyzed due to an unprovoked attack in the Tulwap area within Londiani Forest Station. In the same period, four forest rangers’ outposts were razed to the ground.
The county, with a tree cover estimated at 23.23% and a total forest cover of 20.61%, has had several areas classified as ‘hostile’. These areas include Tulwap and Kedowa within Londiani Forest Station; Mugumoini in Marigat Forest Station; Kalyet, Kamwingi and Cheres in Soget Forest Station; Gacharage in Kuresoi Forest Station; and Kiplochi and Equator in Makutano Forest Station.
Alex Lemarkoko advised communities to steer clear of forest crimes. He noted that the most prevalent crimes include illegal logging, farming in forest areas not delineated for non-residential crop production, and cattle ‘lodging’ where communities leave livestock in the forest overnight.
Feuding community forest association leaders also contribute to illegal activity as one party destroys trees to frame the other. Alex Lemarkoko, however, singled out Londiani Forest CFA Chairman Alfred Soi for sound leadership that is assisting in the rehabilitation of the station while preventing further degradation.
Forests in the county comprise 71,712 hectares consisting of South Tinderet, Londiani, Western Mau and South West Mau. The forests are highly diverse in plant and animal species. These forests are also critical water catchment areas, important timber sources, wildlife habitat and essential carbon sinks.
During the planting event, 16,000 seedlings were planted on 10 hectares. Within the 15 billion trees planting programme, Kericho County has a target to plant 16 million trees annually for ten years. This year, the county has so far planted 300,000 seedlings.