Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago wants action taken against government officials colluding with illegal loggers and saw millers at the Kaptagat forest.
Briefing journalists at his office on Thursday, Mandago said that some government officials could be working with illegal loggers.
He said that logging at the Kaptagat forest is still rampant adding that it threatens conservation of the forest.
“It is becoming evident that some government officials could be working with loggers and saw millers to destroy Kaptagat forest,” he said.
The governor asked the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to investigate and deal with rogue government officials who could be aiding loggers.
He said that efforts to conserve the forest will be futile if illegal loggers are not apprehended and charged in court.
Mandago said that Kaptagat forest is the livelihood of the county and destroying it will be destroying the lives of the locals.
The governor asked the government to put in place stringent measures that will curb logging adding that current laws are not effective.
Mandago said the county government will work with relevant agencies to spearhead environment conservation.
He urged locals to support environmental conservation campaigns being initiated by the government and other agencies.
In an earlier interview, Kaptagat KFS Base Commander Mr Stephen Chessa said that surveillance had been increased at the Kaptagat forest to curb logging.
He asked residents to report suspected illegal loggers for immediate action to be taken.