Saw millers from Nakuru County have applauded Environment, Water and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu’s move to lift the ban on logging.
The saw millers, who spoke to HiviSasa.com, said the ban would revive the timber industry which had almost been paralysed by the ban.
“The ban had led to closure of saw mills and loss of jobs for many people working at the timber industry,” said their representative Charles Karanja, a saw miller in Molo, adding that he would employ more workers whom he had forced to go on leave.
The saw millers said they will continue to partner with KFS in the implementation of national forest policy legislation and the rules and regulations developed under the Forest Act.
They vowed to avoid unsustainable harvesting of forest products and charcoal burning which are threats to forest development.
Upon lifting the ban on Monday, the CS asked timber processors to source most of their material from farmers and private land rather than public forests.
She also instructed KFS to fast track the development of transition implementation plans on the devolved function and ensure close implementation with the counties.
The CS further directed Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to share information on felling plans and allocations of materials with county governments and to institute forest reforms that will support forest management.
The ban on logging of indigenous trees was maintained by the CS.
The government in 1999 introduced a partial logging ban which granted rights to some millers to exploit public forests.