KFS, police seize 300 bags of charcoal in crackdown
Charcoal being sold in Magarini, Kilifi County, on February 24, 2018. The Kenya Forest Service is confiscating bags of charcoal in the war on illegal logging. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Last Friday, KFS and police impounded an Administration Police lorry ferrying 120 bags of charcoal in Kilifi County.
- Kilifi Ecosystem Conservator Moses Wahome said KFS plans to fortify Arabuko-Sokoke Forest's fence.
Three hundred bags of charcoal have been seized in the Coast region since the crackdown on illegal logging began.
Harrison Afwata, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Coast base commander, on Monday said 233 logs and poles were also impounded last week in Tana River and Kilifi counties.
"So far we have intercepted seven lorries, three buses, a matatu and six motorcycles.
"These vehicles were ferrying charcoal and were intercepted in several routes within Kilifi and Tana River counties," he said.
The buses were carrying 105 bags of charcoal.
ROADBLOCKS
Last Friday, KFS and police impounded an Administration Police lorry ferrying 120 bags of charcoal in Kilifi County.
Mr Afwata said they received reports from Magarini Charcoal Producers Association that a police lorry was being used to ferry charcoal to evade roadblocks.
He said the lorry was travelling from Tana River and it was stopped at Gede, Magarini Sub-County, on the Malindi-Kilifi highway.
Mr Afuata said officers from Magarini are investigating the matter. The suspects are said to be on the run.
SURVEILLANCE
Kilifi Ecosystem Conservator Moses Wahome said KFS plans to fortify Arabuko-Sokoke Forest's fence.
"We have mounted a 24-hour surveillance on Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in conjunction with other stakeholders like Nature Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Services and the police to ensure the expansive forest (2,000 hectares) is fully protected," Mr Wahome said.
He added his team is currently monitoring some of the charcoal-burning hotspots.
The forest is one of the largest in East Africa. It is a habitat to 20 per cent of Kenya's bird species, 30 per cent butterfly species and at least 24 rare and endemic bird species.
The 420-square kilometre resource is managed by KFS.
DAKATCHA
Mr Afwata said KFS is also working with various stakeholders such as the Marereni Charcoal Producers Association to protect and conserve Dakatcha Woodland.
Dakatcha Woodland measures 180,000 hectares and is one of the last patches of the northern most block of woodlands, which used to extend from southern Somalia to northern Mozambique.
