Kenya Forest Service probes illegal felling of 350 trees in Trans Nzoia forest. [File, Standard]
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has launched investigations after about 350 young trees were illegally felled in the Makunga Forest Block in Trans Nzoia County.
The trees were found cut down and left on the ground at Saboti Forest Station, within the Mount Elgon ecosystem, prompting KFS to deploy enhanced security as it seeks to establish who was behind the destruction.
KFS said the felling appeared to have been deliberately carried out to provoke local residents, but did not identify those suspected of orchestrating the activity.
“The illegal felling of trees within Makunga Forest Block seems to be maliciously instigated by a few individuals to incite the community,” the service stated in a statement on Thursday, August 13.
The investigation follows reports circulating online that the Shikhendu Forest Block had also been cleared.
KFS dismissed the reports, saying the block had not been affected.