Kenyan President William Ruto has announced his decision to lift the logging ban that has been in place since 2018, despite concerns raised by environmental organizations.
Speaking at a church service in Molo, President Ruto defended his decision, stating that it was long overdue and aimed at creating job opportunities and boosting businesses.
“We can’t have mature trees rotting in forests while locals suffer due to lack of timber. That’s foolishness,” Ruto emphasized. “This is why we have decided to open up the forest and harvest timber so that we can create jobs for our youth and open up business.”
President Ruto, known for his commitment to combating climate change, assured that his government would maintain its goal of planting 15 billion trees over the next decade.
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However, environmental group Greenpeace Africa has expressed deep concern over the decision, warning of devastating consequences for the environment.
Kenya’s forests are home to rare and endangered species, and millions of local people rely on these forests for their livelihoods, using them as a source of food and medicine.
Greenpeace Africa argues that the ban on logging, imposed six years ago, has resulted in significant progress in forest protection and efforts to combat the climate crisis.
The 2018 ban was initially implemented to curb illegal logging and increase Kenya’s forest cover to 10%. However, the country’s current forest cover stands at 8.8%, according to government statistics. The forestry and logging industry contributed 1.6% to the Kenyan economy in 2022.
The decision to lift the logging ban is expected to spark further debate and controversy, with environmentalists and conservationists urging the government to reconsider its position and prioritize the long-term health of the country’s forests and ecosystems.