A forest in Subukia. [Photo: nation.co.ke]
Kabatini residents in Nakuru County risk lack of water due to massive logging in Bahati forest which is a major water source in the area.The residents said that the exercise which is being carried out under the watch of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers is likely to lead to the drying up of Mathare River which springs from the forest.
Kiamunyeki dam, where various water projects originate from, is also another probable victim of the deforestation activities going on in the area. “This is the second time they are doing this. Last year they did the same. Our problem is this, even if the orders are coming from above, why not involve the locals? We have preserved this forest for very many years and those people giving orders from Nairobi need to know that they cannot maintain this forest the way we have done,” said an elderly Paul Ndirangu.The inhabitants said they have been the custodian of that forest for many years and they cannot understand why somebody would want to destroy what they have held and preserved that long.They maintain that if it is must that trees continue to be cut down, it must be in phases to allow more trees to be planted to avoid the unfortunate occurrence of the water catchment drying up.“If the trees have to be harvested for whatever reasons, it must be done in an orderly manner. More trees must be planted and allowed to grow to ensure that the water levels in the catchment do not go down,” says Njuguna, another resident. “Trees need not be cut down haphazardly leaving our water wells to dry up. Again, our people also have to benefit from those trees as they are the ones who have nurtured them,” said kinyua another elder.The government had partially banned logging in the year 1999 leading to lucrative market for timber thereby creating an incentive for illegal logging.