Kenyan President William Ruto’s recent decision to lift the six-year ban on logging has sparked controversy and public objections. Ruto’s reasoning behind this decision is that it will create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth. However, Lisa E. Fuchs, an expert on Kenya’s Mau Forest Complex, delves into the implications of this move. The lifting of the logging ban in Kenya is a contentious issue due to several factors. Firstly, the success of a logging ban relies heavily on determining who is included or excluded from its enforcement and how these individuals or groups will be supported in transitioning to sustainable practices. Secondly, the effectiveness of the ban depends on the political will to implement it in line with its intended purpose. When lifting a logging ban, it’s important to consider that controversial political decisions are aimed at different audiences. Kenya’s previous logging ban was implemented in 2018 as a response to dwindling water resources and efforts to protect the country’s water towers. Deforestation rates in Kenya have been increasing since the early 1990s, reaching an estimated 5,000 hectares per year by 2010, as reported by the United Nations Environment Program. This deforestation has caused significant impacts on biodiversity, river flows, microclimates, agricultural production, hydropower generation, inland fish production, as well as human health and well-being. Opponents of the decision to lift the logging ban argue that it puts at risk the progress made in recent years to increase Kenya’s tree cover. The country surpassed its minimum 10% tree cover target in June 2022 and has set a goal to raise it to 30% by 2032, aiming to achieve this by planting 15 billion trees. Trees and forests provide vital ecosystem services such as air, climate, and water regulation, which have wide-ranging impacts on landscapes, livelihoods, economies, and entire food systems. I have conducted extensive research on Kenya’s “Save the Mau” campaign, which was launched in 2009 to rehabilitate the Mau Forest Complex. This campaign involved multiple stakeholders, with government leadership and support from civil society organizations. Historically, the Kenyan government has prioritized forests for production and economic development rather than focusing on biodiversity and conservation. William Ruto, both as the Minister for Agriculture from 2008 to 2010 and as Deputy President from 2013 to 2022, has consistently defended this approach. Previous logging bans in Kenya have had mixed results. A similar ban was in effect between 1999 and 2011, but it was never officially lifted and was more of a three-month moratorium. In 1999, Kenya’s forests were in a dire state, and the blame was placed on “post box sawmillers” – companies that existed only on paper – and the Forestry Department, which was responsible for their registrations and licenses. The moratorium invalidated these sawmillers’ licenses and prevented them from legally logging in public forests. However, what many don’t realize is that this ban was only partial, as major timber companies like Timsales, Raiply, Comply, and intermittently, Pan-African Paper Mills, were allowed to continue logging without restrictions. These politically influential companies held a monopoly over the production and export of wood products and profited from soaring wood prices. In 1999, forest management was still governed by the 1960 Forest Act, which allowed the Minister for Forestry to change the legal status of public forest land with a simple order published in the government Gazette. Despite the passage of the landmark 2005 Forests Act and the establishment of the Kenya Forest Service in 2007, the situation did not improve significantly due to inadequate enforcement of existing regulations. Corruption contributed to forest destruction, involving both large timber companies and small-scale sawmills. The Kenya Forest Service has been implicated in corruption scandals related to deforestation, as highlighted in a 2018 investigation. The current political climate in Kenya is tense, with William Ruto facing significant pressure since taking office in September 2022. Public protests have erupted over the cost of living, and addressing job creation is seen as an attempt to allay these concerns. However, meddling with the country’s forests can be interpreted as a direct challenge to opposition leader Raila Odinga, who led the “Save the Mau” campaign until it came to an abrupt halt in 2010-2011, with Ruto and his allies playing a prominent role in derailing the campaign. Ruto campaigned on a promise of change and economic empowerment through a bottom-up development model. Redistributing access to and benefits from the forests may appeal to rural communities and their political representatives who rely on forest resources. Given the country’s substantial debt, Ruto is also seeking new revenue sources. Moving forward, it is essential for the government to approach environmental and forest conservation issues with a depoliticized mindset and a commitment to sustainable solutions. Ruto should address concerns regarding the lifting of the logging ban and clarify that it only applies to commercial forests. My research in the Eastern Mau Forest has revealed that political changes, or even the fear of such changes, can trigger a “cutting craze” among local residents. Timber companies, small and medium-sized sawmills, and even ordinary community members adopt short-term approaches to extract benefits from the forest and its resources, often leading to environmental degradation. Taking a long-term and sustainable approach to forest management, considering both production and conservation, is not overly complicated when it is not influenced by political considerations. It primarily requires genuine political will.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
