The Kenya Forest Service has apprehended four suspects in connection with illegal activities in Mau Forest days after it launched a whistleblowing policy.
KFS chief conservator Julius Kamau on Tuesday said the policy had started bearing fruits.
“The arrest of the suspects was after we got reports from the public,” Kamau said.
James Wakibia, an online user, had reported the rise of illegal logging in Marioshoni and Kiptunga areas of the Mau Forest.
“During Cop26, Kenya pledged to end deforestation by 2030,” Wakibia said.
Kamau said when the service received the reports, it acted swiftly.
"On [Thursday last week], four suspects were arrested in block 10 area which lies in the borders of Baraget, Marioshoni and Kiptunga forest stations for found chopping cedar posts,” Kamau said.
Kamau added that the service received the information positively, adding that the move will go a long way in protecting the country's resources.
KFS manages 6.4 million acres of forests and helps counties manage another 4.2 million acres.
In 2018, a damning report on the state of forests and logging revealed how the forests' custodian, KFS, had destroyed swathes of precious trees countrywide.
The report said the board and KFS management were unable to stem, and, in some instances, directly participated in rampant corruption and abuse of office.
By so doing, the report said, the two institutions oversaw wanton destruction of forests, water towers and the environment.
"KFS has institutionalised...
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