Kenya Forest Service (KSF) North Rift director Solomon Mibey has urged county governments in the region to work with the agency in conservation of forests.
Speaking to Hivisasa at his office in Eldoret on Thursday, the KFS officer said that conservation of forests will be made easier if counties partner with the agency.
He said that the agency has launched campaigns to rehabilitate and conserve forests in the region. Mibey said the agency seeks to plant over 7,000 trees in Embout and Kaptagat forests in Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu County respectively.
“We need the support of county governments even as we seek to conserve and protect forests in the region,” he said.
He revealed that an exercise to evict illegal settlers from the Embout forest had already began. He said that there are over 15,000 squatters who have encroached on the Embout forest.
“We are working with stakeholders and the government to see that the squatters occupying the forest land are given alternative places so that we can start the conservation programmes,” he said.
He also warned illegal loggers of hefty penalties and jail time if apprehended adding that the agency has put in place mechanisms that will prevent illegal logging.
The KFS officer urged residents in the region to work with the agency as it seeks to conserve forests.