Ruto orders return of logging in Mau Forest, bans furniture imports
President William Ruto has announced the return of logging in the Mau Forest Complex and called for a halt to the importation of furniture in what he described as a move to boost Kenya’s local timber and furniture industries.
Speaking in Elburgon, Molo, on Monday, October 27, President Ruto said that the government will reopen the sawmills that were previously shut down and ensure that furniture used in the country is made locally from Kenyan timber.
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He stated that Kenya has sufficient resources to produce its own furniture and will no longer depend on foreign imports for items such as beds and chairs.
“We shall reopen your timber factory here. We will use our own timber to make furniture. The furniture that will be used in Kenya will be made from locally produced wood, and it is our Kenyan youth who will make that furniture,” Ruto said.
Ruto had earlier lifted the six-year-long ban on logging, which he claimed would help the economies of areas that depend on forest products.
The Head of State explained that he has already instructed Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui to implement the directive, which he said will promote job creation for the youth and revive the once-thriving timber industry in regions like Elburgon.
He said the government will sell mature trees from forests across the country to local saw millers beginning next week to facilitate the reopening of timber factories.
“I have instructed our Trade Minister, Mr Lee Kinyanjui, that this issue of importing furniture, seats and beds from China or any other place must come to an end,” he clarified.
Ruto told residents that Elburgon once had a vibrant timber factory before operations were halted, and he has now authorised its revival, adding that he will meet sawmillers in the area to ensure the processing plant resumes operations.
He emphasised that all furniture to be used in Kenya will be made from locally sourced timber and crafted by Kenyan youth.
“Importantly, I have come here to Elburgon, and you know there used to be a large timber factory here, but some issues came up in between. However, today I have authorised that the trees we already have in our forests, which are mature, will be sold to sawmillers starting next week. That is why I want to meet with the sawmillers who were here in Elburgon tomorrow so that they can revive the timber processing factory that once operated here,” the president said.
On his official Facebook page, Ruto added that the restoration of the Mau Forest Complex remains a key priority in his administration’s environmental and economic agenda.
He said the government has embarked on a long-term plan to plant 15 billion trees across the country within the next ten years as part of a wider environmental conservation effort.
“We have started the journey to restore the Mau Forest Complex as part of our plan to plant 15 billion trees in the country within the next 10 years. To ensure this initiative is successful, we have adopted a whole-of-society approach, bringing together government, the private sector, and communities to plant and grow trees,” Ruto wrote.
In his statement, the president said the government has adopted a whole-of-society approach that brings together the public sector, private investors, and local communities to plant and nurture trees across the country.
He stated that once fully restored, the 33,000-hectare Mau Forest Complex will raise water levels in rivers, boost agricultural productivity, and support over five million livelihoods in Nakuru County and beyond.
“Once restored, the more than 33,000-hectare complex will raise water levels in our rivers, boost food production, and support over 5 million livelihoods in Nakuru County and beyond. Unveiled the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme in Nakuru County,” he added.
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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