The government has defended logging activities in the Aberdares Forest, saying the exercise targeted mature commercial trees that had reached the end of their harvesting cycle.
Government Spokesperson Charles Owino said complaints had been raised over the past week about alleged excessive tree felling in the Aberdares ecosystem, which spans Nyandarua and Murang’a counties and parts of Kiambu County.
Speaking during the weekly government press briefing in Nairobi, Owino maintained that the trees being harvested were commercial cypress varieties that had reached maturity.
He said some of the trees had developed heart rot, making them vulnerable to falling and resulting in losses if left unharvested.
Owino said the Forest Department had authorised the harvesting of mature cypress trees at Geta Forest Station, compartment 8A, and Keriita Forest Station in Nyandarua and Kiambu counties, respectively.
He added that harvesting contracts had been awarded to three qualified sawmillers through an online application process in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.
According to Owino, the successful bidders were locals drawn from the three counties within the Central region that form part of the Aberdares ecosystem.
The government also plans to establish new tree plantations during the ongoing short rains under the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS).
Owino said the programme would enable local communities to grow crops for their own consumption and sale for three years as the newly planted trees develop and establish a full canopy.
However, the harvesting exercise has been temporarily suspended following a court case filed by a Member of Parliament from Ol Kalou.
Owino said the process had been halted for two weeks as the court considers the matter, assuring the public that the government would abide by the law.
The government’s explanation comes amid concerns from environmental activists, residents and local leaders over logging activities in the forest.
Residents and local leaders have reported seeing numerous lorries entering the forest and transporting logs, raising concerns about the scale of the harvesting and its potential environmental impact.
Environmental activists have warned that continued tree felling could threaten the Aberdares ecosystem, particularly its role as a critical water catchment area that supports communities and ecosystems beyond the forest.
The Aberdares are an important source of water, making forest conservation a key concern for environmental groups and communities dependent on the ecosystem.
