Kenya: Kenya Forest Service Forest Rangers at Molo Forest Station got wind of a lorry that had made its way into the Molo West forest block under the cover of darkness on the 6th of December, 2023.
The Forest Rangers laid an ambush, and at around 2:30 am, they confronted the illegal loggers, who comprised a group of several men while loading logs from illegally felled trees.
The vehicle’s driver charged at the Forest Rangers with the intention to overrun them, and upon the Rangers giving way, the lorry sped in an attempt to escape. Rangers then opened fire to deflate the tires.
The driver managed to drive the lorry towards the Molo-Mau summit road before abandoning it, after which he escaped on foot to a nearby village.
The vehicle Reg No KBU 396V was later moved to Molo Police Station. All 48 cypress logs that had been illegally felled were salvaged for safe custody. The case was booked under OB no. 8/6/12/2023.
The suspects remain at large. The police, through the DCI Molo sub-county, are also in the process of investigating and looking for the owner of the vehicle.
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, has commended the station manager and rangers for braving the darkness and dangerous Forest to stop illegal logging in their area of jurisdiction. He also advises the public to observe the law and desist from engaging in illegal logging, which will lead to arrest and prosecution.
In addition, the public is reminded that all public gazetted forests are out of bounds from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am, and anyone found contravening this rule will be arrested. The CCF further noted that the ongoing IMARISHA MISITU campaign will progress as planned and advised Forest neighbouring communities to volunteer information to respective KFS Forest officers as well as the Ministry hotline no 0800724570.