A senior environmental activist from Coast region fears for his life after he allegedly received death threats from a local leader in Magarini constituency over his stand to fight against Dakatcha woodland forest destruction.
Francis Kagema the Coast Regional Coordinator of Nature Kenya alleged that Marafa Ward MCA Renson Kambi threatened to ‘finish’ him for spearheading the campaign against charcoal burning.
Addressing a press conference in Malindi town on Sunday he said the MCA reportedly threatened him in front of the Acting Chief Conservator of forests Monica Karenda and Magarini DCC that he should not dare step in Dakatcha as he was the one contributing to the ban of charcoal banning.
He said on Saturday night a gang of an unknown people raided his garage in Malindi town and told his security guard that his days were numbered.
“I do not know whether the gang was referring to me when they told the guard he had few days to live but I do not take the matter lightly,” he said.
Kagema said he already reported to the police regarding the threats OB number 02/19/05/18 and called on the authorities to investigate the matter so as to guarantee his safety.
The Nature Kenya Coast regional coordinator said the MCA reportedly wrote a letter threatening the organization also.
Apart from Dakatcha he has been firm in fighting against forest destruction in Arabuko Sokoke and Taita hills.
In 2010 Kagema together with two journalists were attacked by goons.
In a quick rejoinder the MCA dismissed the allegations that he issued deaths threats to Kagema saying he has never met him or uttered any statements that would threaten his life.