Environmentalists based in coastal region have criticized President Ruto’s move to loft the logging ban which was put in place by the former president.

The environmentalists say that the move would increase deforestation and the efforts put in place to converse and preserve the environment will go to waste.

According to Boco Juma, CEO of Bigship, said the effects of logging will be detrimental to the environment.

“The drop of forest covers from 30 to 10% which is against the law contributed to the enactment of the moratorium against logging by previous government. This was a significant effort by the government to ensure that the environment was preserved and minimize the adverse effects of climate change,”Juma said.

“This move will retrogressively undermine the efforts made by the previous regime to protect the environment. After lifting the ban on logging I hope the government will follow the regulations put in place on logging so that we don’t reduce forest covers even much further,” he further argued.

Petitions Raised

Petition have been raised concerning the logging of mature trees.

Vuma Earth, an environmental establishment has issued their petition t the CS for environment , Climate change and Forestry Soipan Tuya.

They argue that lifting of the ban will only undo all the significant progress they have made, by opening forests to commercial and illegal logging, hell bent on clearing the forest for pofit.

While announcing the lifting of the ban, the President argued that the ban hindered wood entrepreneurs like carpenters from making a living.

Also Read: President Ruto Lifts Six-Year Logging Ban