Kiambu forest officer has cautioned Kiambu residents against felling of trees without the permit from the forestry department as it is illegal.
Speaking in his office on Friday, the officer, James Thairu said that people must obtain a permit from the forestry department whenever they want to cut down trees.
He also advised the members of the public to report anybody whom they suspect is cutting down trees without authorization.
Thairu said that the public should raise complaints on where they find natural factors which pose a threat to them. He revealed that they always sit in the district environment committee and evaluate the most appropriate way to eliminate the threat.
He added that the rate of cutting down of trees is higher than that of planting and thus appealed to Kiambu residents to put emphasis of planting more trees especially during this rainy season.
He said tree planting will help improve the lives of the residents as they plant trees which grow fast and can be used for communal purposes like bamboo. "I send a stern warning to all residents in the region not to engage in cutting of trees without a permit from the office and whoever will be arrested will face the wrath of the law,” said Thairu.
Section 9,10,11,12 and 13 of the Forest Act of the laws of Kenya states the requirements that a person must fulfill in order to be issued with a permit which includes filling forms and assessing whether the piece of land where trees are has a conflict.