Kenya Forest Service rangers have arrested three people found burning charcoal in Baraget forest in the Eastern Mau forest bloc.
The Mau regional commander David Mutoro said in the early morning sting operation, enforcement officers impounded a charcoal stove and several sacks of charcoal.
The officers threw a cordon around a radius of 10 kilometers in the forest section that comprises of rare species of hardwood trees popular with charcoal merchants, after days of discontent from environmentalists over the wanton destruction of the trees by charcoal traders.
People burning charcoal are reported to invade the forest during predawn hours when surveillance is comparatively low and embark on their illegal activities undeterred.
Mutoro said the suspects will be arraigned in court on charges of illegal harvesting of a public forest.
In a move aimed at smashing a notorious charcoal burning cartel in the region, the commandant said the officers will sustain the operation.