Dr. Isaac Kalua Green, leader of the Green Thinking Action Party of Kenya, has urged for an immediate overhaul of the leadership at Kenya Forest Services (KFS). Dr. Kalua, who has been an ardent conservationist for over 40 years, voiced concerns over what he describes as a failure by the KFS to protect the country’s forests. His calls came amidst allegations that officials were involved in the illegal sale of indigenous trees for personal gain, threatening the nation’s tree cover goals.
Dr. Kalua’s criticism extends beyond mismanagement and corruption; he also pointed fingers at the construction of mega projects such as roads and golf courses that he claims are being built at the expense of the country’s forests. “The president’s calls for increased tree cover will remain a mere mirage if officials within his government are aiding the felling of trees for selfish gains,” Dr. Kalua said. “It’s the same officials who are assisting in the destruction of our forests to pave the way for developments that are more about profits than sustainability.”
The call for an overhaul comes in the wake of reports that certain sections of forests are being excised, allegedly to build infrastructure and recreational facilities. Dr. Kalua highlighted the pattern of environmental degradation that has seen land in various forested areas sold off or converted for non-forestry use. “There are powerful individuals linked to powerful families who are making a living off Kenya’s forests,” he said, exposing what he described as a systemic rot within the KFS.
The conservationist’s concerns are not without precedent. He has been vocal for decades about the illegal logging, unsustainable development, and misuse of natural resources within the country’s forests. In recent years, the practice of issuing licenses for activities like sandalwood export under different codes has become a point of contention. Dr. Kalua noted that such licenses are often exploited, facilitating illegal logging and trade, which is contrary to the spirit of sustainable forest management.
The Green Thinking Action Party leader also took issue with the Ministry of Environment, pointing out that while Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has been responsive, his efforts have not been enough to stem the tide of forest degradation. “The CS is acting, but he must double his efforts,” Dr. Kalua said. “There are people hiding under a smile, working hard to deplete our forest cover for personal gain.”
Dr. Kalua’s calls for change come against the backdrop of President William Ruto’s ambitious plan to plant over 15 billion trees by 2032 as a means to enhance Kenya’s forest cover to 30%. However, Dr. Kalua warned that these plans are at risk due to the activities of corrupt officials. “The KFS has been a roadblock,” he said. “They have failed to protect our forests, and instead of ensuring sustainable management, they are more interested in collecting license fees without addressing the core issues.”
To address these concerns, Dr. Kalua has called for the immediate revocation of all licenses held by bodies operating in the country’s forests until a fresh review is conducted to evaluate their operations. He specifically pointed out that his own organization, Green Africa, has faced bottlenecks since its licence was issued in 2014. “We have repeatedly called for its revocation,” Dr. Kalua said. “The KFS has been keen to ask for payment but has not addressed the underlying problems.”
Dr. Kalua also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the management of Kenya’s forests, suggesting that international observers and experts be brought in to review and recommend changes. “We need an independent audit of the Kenya Forest Service,” he said. “Until that happens, the threats to our forests will continue.”
In conclusion, Dr. Kalua urged President William Ruto to take decisive action to clean up the leadership of KFS, warning that without such measures, the country’s ambitious tree-planting goals will remain just that goals. The time for talk is over, he argued, stressing that action is needed to protect Kenya’s forests for future generations.
This article has been written based on the current developments and ongoing concerns regarding Kenya’s forest management and the calls for reform by Dr. Isaac Kalua Green.
