On Thursday, November 7, 2024, the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced a complete ban on farming in all legally designated natural forests in Kenya.
Duale emphasized the need to safeguard natural forests as they play a vital role in the environmental ecosystem and Kenyan agriculture. He stated that the government will be at the forefront of implementing the new directive.
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) November 7, 2024
Duale declared,
“I am issuing an immediate and total ban in Cheptais and any other legally designated natural forests within our country. These ecosystems must be safeguarded to maintain their ecological integrity and biodiversity.”
Consequences To Those Who Intend To Violate The Directive
He also issued a stern warning to those who intend to violate the new directive, stating that those found guilty will face the full force of the law:
“To all our communities, government officials and Kenya Forest Service, hear this: anyone found compromising the integrity of our natural forests will not be tolerated. Anyone found guilty of engaging in activities that harm this ecosystem be it through pollution, encroachment, or illegal cultivation will face severe consequences.”
The Cabinet Secretary stated that the ban extends to people engaging in livestock farming and advised those doing so to cease before the government takes action.
He made these remarks during the launch of the Ksh 620M integrated landscape management project aimed at conserving and restoring the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.
Earlier today, together with Bungoma Governor H.E. Ken Lusaka, I launched the integrated landscape management project aimed at conserving and restoring the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem.
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) November 7, 2024
The Kaberua Tree Nursery in Kapsokwony, Bungoma County, will undergo expansion.
The 620M project will… pic.twitter.com/OI421902g5
The project is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in partnership with the Kaberwa Community Forest Association (KCFA). Through this project, the Kaberwa Tree Nursery in Kapsokwony, Bungoma County, will undergo expansion.
The Ksh 620M project will see the nursery increase its size from the current 1 to 2 acres, which Duale claimed will facilitate a more efficient and effective production process. The nursery is expected to grow its production capacity from an annual 500,000 seedlings to one million seedlings.
The expansion project is part of a broader effort to restore and rehabilitate the degraded areas of the Mt.Elgon Forest, reinforcing the government’s commitment to the 15 billion National Tree Growing Programme.
The tree growing activity is part of the Greening TVETs component of the Government's flagship 15 Billion National Tree Growing Programme that seeks raise Kenya's tree cover from the estimated 12.3% to 30% by the year 2032.#JazaMiti #15bnTrees pic.twitter.com/FAWaPXOuxS
— State Department For Forestry Kenya (@Forestry__Kenya) October 8, 2024
