Citizens should make the forest department more accountable

A section of the Kakamega Forest. FILE photo | NMG 

By CATHY MPUTHIA

More by this Author

Summary

• Every citizen has a right to information and the state agency is required to have in place an information officer who responds to queries raised by the public.

Climatic change and environmental pollution have become issues of global concern.

The Constitution states that every citizen has a right to a clean environment.

The government is doing a lot in terms on safeguarding the environment. A number of countries across the world are prioritising issues of cleanliness and environment protection.

For example China plans to build skyscrapers that contain nothing but plants.

The purpose is to use trees to clean up air pollution. It is an idea a city like Nairobi can emulate.

For example, buildings with flat roofs can house man-made forests and gardens.

There are many innovations that promote environmental conservation which should be encouraged.

The Environment ministry has been undertaking tree planting campaigns across the country. The campaigns mirror former president Daniel arap Moi’s era motto of if you cut one tree, plant two.

The focus on reforestation is quite timely noting that Kenya’s forest cover is just a little under seven per cent. In central Europe the average cover is 38 per cent, and 45 per cent in Russia. Kenya should pursue the tree planting and environment protection agenda more aggressively.

There are many advantages of having a big forest cover. Kenya has needlessly suffered a lot from drought and floods because of environmental degradation.

A large forest cover can improve the situation by attracting rain while at the same time absorbing excess water from rain, preventing severe flooding.

Other than the tree planting campaign, the Environment minister appointed a taskforce to examine deforestation. Its final findings are yet to be made public.

Kenya has a number of laws on forests such as the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016 and policies including one on mangrove management.

READ: Why Kenya should consider a forest bond for its forest investment campaign

On the other hand, the Constitution allocates the Kenya Forest Services a number of functions. Other than protecting forests, it advertises eco-tourism investment opportunities as well as environment friendly charcoal production technology such as briquette makers.

Some of the problems facing the institution include corruption and inefficiency. Last month a number of forestry officials were sacked for condoning illegal logging and farming.

While there are ongoing positive reforms in the institution, the public can help make it more accountable and a better service provider through litigation.

Every citizen has a right to information and the state agency is required to have in place an information officer who responds to queries raised by the public.

Public litigation should be encouraged to drive the institution to focus on environment conservation.

Citizen groups like the Karen Langata District Association have been quite active in upholding their right to a clean environment by going to court over environmental issues and winning suits in some cases.