Sandalwood. [Photo/frangrantica.com]
Members of the Oldonyiro Community Conservancy in Isiolo County have called on the government to tighten the noose on the illegallucrative sandalwood business between poachers and underhand police officers in a bid to stamp out the trade which they say is destroying the environment.
A source privy to the unholy alliance decried rising cases of collusion between the corrupt police officers who seem to be aiding poachers of the tree which is famed for its oils used in aromatherapy, soaps, and cosmetics.
“We are calling on the government to be strict on this trade. Culpable officers should be arrested and charged with aiding the destruction of the environment and breaking the law they are supposed to defend,” he said.
He was speaking against the backdrop of an incident where community members busted a group of poachers who had illegally harvested the tree and were making away with it.