Members of Parliament (MPs) on Thursday called on Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko to reinstate Forestry staff that he suspended last week.
The legislators from the Environment Committee led by chairman Kareke Mbiuki also criticized how Tobiko handles the ministry, accusing him of high-handedness and intimidation.
"There has been a lot of roadside sacking and public dress down of the staff of the Kenya Forest Service making them not to concentrate on their core mandate of planting more trees and restoring our forest cover, " asserted Mr Mbiuki.
[caption caption="File image of Nithi MP Kareke Mbiuki "]
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They, further, noted that the CS should not have suspended Kenya Forest Service Staff including its director Emilio Mugo.
The MPs issued an order to the former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), urging him to recall all the suspended staff until a task force unveiled by the Deputy President William Ruto on forest conservation releases its report.
The politicians expressed their displeasure on how Tobiko has been running the ministry since his appointment.
However, they reiterated that they support the government's ban on illegal logging stating that it will aid in the restoration of the country's forest cover.
Additionally, the MPs advised the CS to give the task force time to complete its audit and present its report to parliament.
CS Tobiko, last week ordered the immediate redeployment of all Kenya Forest Service officers at Kibiku, Ololua, Thogoto and Ngong forests due to massive destruction of forest resources.
In a statement, Tobiko demanded that the officers should be replaced immediately and suitable teams assigned.
[caption caption="File image of Environment CS Keriako Tobiko"]
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