The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has clarified that it is currently cutting down mature and over-mature trees at the Thogoto Forest station, Kiambu County.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 15, KFS confirmed that licensed saw millers are overseeing the operation, which kicked off in November last year and is expected to come to an end in the coming weeks.
According to KFS, the operation, which targets exotic species such as eucalyptus, pine, and cypress trees, which are grown for commercial purposes. The operation covers a total area of 46.7 hectares.
"Kenya Forest Service wishes to inform the public that harvesting of mature and over-mature plantation tree species is currently underway at Thogoto Forest station, Kiambu County," KFS said.
"Several licensed sawmillers are undertaking this process in a total area of 46.7 hectares, and the harvesting began in November 2024 and will be concluded in the upcoming weeks," it added.
The service noted that forest plantations, which are grown for commercial use, are different from indigenous forests, which are conserved specifically for biodiversity conservation.
KFS has encouraged members of the public to get in touch with the nearest KFS forest station whenever they need clarification on such exercises.
"Forest plantations are fundamentally different from indigenous forests that are conserved for ecological integrity and biodiversity conservation. For any further clarifications, the public is invited to visit the nearest KFS Forest station," KFS stated.
Karura Forest
The statement comes a month after the service denied claims on the destruction of the Karura Forest. This was after a video circulated online purportedly depicting a cleared portion of Karura Forest.
However, in a statement on June 4, KFS, which labelled the video as misleading, claimed that the areas were being prepared for replanting with indigenous trees.
“We have already started digging holes and we will begin planting during the upcoming rainy season,” the statement read.
“The process being undertaken in Karura Forest will ensure it is restored to a fully indigenous urban forest for recreation and ecotourism,” it added.
