Kenya losses close to 90 million trees yearly according to statistics released by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
KFS acting chief conservator Monica Kalenda said that every Kenyan consumes approximately two trees yearly and with an average population of 45 million people then the country consumes 90 million trees annually.
Speaking in Nakuru when she launched the KFS rapid response forest response and investigation unit, Kalenda said that the excessive consumption of trees is threatening the country’s ecosystem.
Kalenda said critical sectors such as agriculture, tourism, energy and water which rely on the well being of forests were at risk owing to the continued destruction of the Kenyan forest cover.
“Some critical sectors such as tourism, agriculture, energy and water are at risk and might be crippled if we don’t conserve our forests,” said Kalenda.
The chief conservator added that Kenya might fail to achieve the 10% forest cover target by 2022 if rapid measures are not put in place to counter the destruction of forests.
“The country must think of alternatives for timber and wood usage as well put more emphasis on replacing the depleted forests,” she said