Residents Lament Over Destruction Of Forest

They say that Nyambene forest, which happens to be the sole source of water in Tigania and Igembe regions, has had massive harvesting of trees in the recent past.

Led by their Member of Parliament Kubai Kirigo, the locals faulted the Kenya Forest Service for allowing people cut indigenious trees from the forest.

The people cutting the trees are said to be taking advantage of a project of constructing a power line through the forest.

Kirigo regrettably noted that efforts to stop the vice have not been successful even after visiting different government offices.

The residents are now calling for intervention from the national and county governments, to save the forest that has been under protection of the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders and the community over the years.

The locals claim that the power line has extended its area of coverage, terming it an unnecessary destruction.

Speaking on phone, Meru County Forest Director Mr Evans Maneno said that the cutting of trees had been authorized by the Kenya Forest Service through proper procurement procedures to pave way for the proposed power line.

By Mildred Amoni