Kalonzo: Kenya to be a desert if logging continues

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned Kenyans to be prepared to have the country declared a desert if charcoal burning, sand harvesting and cutting down of trees are not banned.

Mr. Musyoka was speaking on Monday as he led the legal team representing Kitui County Governor Charity Ngilu as she appeared before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over her alleged incitement remarks.

Counsels Daniel Maanzo, Saili Malonza, Martin Oloo, Rachel Osendo and Davidson Makau were the other members of Ngilu’s legal team.

“I watched a story on Citizen TV the other day about how fast drought is spreading. If we do not prepare ourselves and tackle these issues of reckless charcoal burning, sand harvesting and cutting down of trees, then we must accept that this country is going to be declared a desert,” said the NASA co-principal.

Governor Ngilu had been summoned by the NCIC over remarks she made in a viral video that showed her allegedly inciting Kitui County youth to burn down all vehicles carrying charcoal. A lorry was burnt a few days later in what many believe was as a result of her utterances.

Addressing the press, Mr. Musyoka also said that the letter NCIC had sent Governor Ngilu showed that her perceived incitement remarks were against the Somali community yet when they arrived before the commission, they were surprised to find “Juja Transporters” listed as the complainants.

“We were not presented with any evidence of any complaint from any member of the Somali community,” he said.

The opposition co-principal further stated that sand harvesting and charcoal burning were the two most troublesome issues facing the counties of Kitui, Makueni and Machakos, and congratulated Governor Ngilu for her efforts in tackling them.

Musyoka condemned the NCIC’s summoning of Governor Ngilu saying; “We congratulate Ngilu for blowing the whistle, you do not punish the whistle blower. The entire Ukambani region is facing shortage of rain.”