Robert Alai condemns logging in Kileleshwa
Kileleshwa ward residents have protested the ongoing felling of trees within the ward without their knowledge.
Their grievances have been echoed by the area representative in Nairobi County Assembly Mr Robert Alai, who sought answers from the chairperson of the Sectorial Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
In a written notice, Alai said a parcel of land within his ward had a number of big and old trees which are now being cut down by unknown individuals.
The member claimed the exercise was being taken in collusion with the Sub-County Administrator with the intention of erecting a structure.
“There is an established regulatory procedure to be followed by residents of Nairobi County before embarking on cutting of trees, however, some people exploit enforcement loopholes to cut vegetation and trees contrary to the country’s aspirations to enhance tree cover,” Alai said through a statement to Nairobi Assembly Speaker Ken Ng’ondi.
He is seeking answers from the committee as to whether the right procedure was followed and if the county government approved the exercise.
“Whether public participation was conducted in order to ensure that residents in the area gave their views before felling the trees and in anticipation of further developments in the said piece of land.”
However, in a conversation about the issue with Nairobi News, acting County Secretary Mr Patrick Analo said the county was not aware of the exercise.“We have a few elements that are involved in cutting trees, especially at night, and during the weekends and some even poison them. They pour poison on the roots of the tree and you just find that the tree has died,” Analo said.
He stated that the county has deployed its inspectorate officers to different parts of the country to monitor and arrest any illegal cutting of trees.
Also, the county has asked all the residents associations in Nairobi to report any suspicious cutting of trees in their areas for the county to take action.
The county stated that it is not encouraging any tree cutting as it has already rolled out measures of planting more trees across the county.
“We have planted trees in Uhuru Park, and we have planted many trees in many of our green areas…generally, it is illegal to cut trees without county government’s permit.”
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