President William Ruto lifted the nationwide ban on logging in state forests on Sunday, giving hundreds of saw millers a new lease on life.

Speaking after attending a Sunday church service at St Marys Catholic Church in Molo, Nakuru County, the president said the ban was long overdue and that it was time for saw millers to harvest mature trees.

Ruto stated that mature trees were rotting in the forest, causing hardship for locals who relied on forest produce.

“Mature trees are rotting in forests while locals suffer from a lack of timber, demonstrating the country’s folly.” “We have lifted the moratorium that was imposed,” Ruto stated.

Ruto stated that the previous government intended to import furniture after imposing the ban. He stated that the decision to raise the levy on imported furniture was made to ensure that it is manufactured locally and that Kenyans are employed.

The ban was lifted by the president following numerous complaints from residents of Molo, Elburgon, and Njoro sub-counties, who were mostly supported by the timber industry.