The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has dismissed claims of illegal logging at Ngong Hills Forest, saying the ongoing tree felling is part of an approved operation to harvest mature trees in a designated forest plantation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, October 25, the service said the operation was taking place in the Kibiku Forest Blocks, where a tender had been awarded for harvesting mature plantations covering 56 hectares.
KFS said the exercise followed a competitive bidding process and was being carried out in line with the law, including the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and the Forest Conservation and Management Act.
The clarification followed the circulation of videos and photographs on social media alleging that trees were being cut down illegally, with some claims suggesting that the activities were taking place at night.
The service said the images circulating online did not establish that illegal harvesting had taken place during the night.
KFS also addressed concerns surrounding a vehicle linked to the operation, saying it had received information that the vehicle had broken down and was undergoing repairs.
The agency maintained that forest harvesting activities must be conducted between 6am and 6pm, as provided for under the Forest Conservation and Management Act.
It also noted that the Community Forest Association is involved in supporting tree planting through the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS), which combines plantation development with opportunities for communities to benefit from forest activities.
Other Tree-Felling Incidents Raise Concerns
The Ngong Hills controversy comes amid increased public attention on tree cutting and forest conservation in different parts of the country.
In August, KFS launched investigations into reports of suspected illegal logging at Saboti Forest Station within the Mount Elgon ecosystem in Trans Nzoia County.
The agency reported that about 350 young trees had been cut down and left at the site in the Makunga forest block.
Earlier in October, the felling of mature trees along State House Road in Nairobi also drew criticism from residents concerned about the loss of urban trees.
Reports at the time linked the exercise to a possible road expansion, although the claims had not been independently verified.
In Nakuru, Governor Susan Kihika had a warning for the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) not to fell any trees without county permission after complaints about the felling of mature Jacaranda trees by KURA while conducting road construction.
These cases have once again put focus on the balancing act that has to be done between infrastructure development, commercial forestry and environmental conservation.
KFS has asked the general public to get clarifications regarding forest harvesting at the nearest forest stations.
The service also asked Kenyans to verify information before sharing it and report any suspected illegal activities to the nearest police station.
