Kenya Destroys 13.5 Tonnes Of Sandalwood

The government has destroyed over 13.5 tonnes of sandalwood, a strong message to the illegal trade. 

Hon. Roselinda Soipan Tuya, CS Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, oversaw the destruction of 13.5 tonnes of sandalwood at the DCI Headquarters, where she was the chief guest. 

During sting operations in Samburu County, woods extracted from endangered species of trees throughout the country’s forests were seized. 

CS Tuya stated that the exercise was very symbolic and served to demonstrate the commitment and teamwork in breaking down illicit networks that sought to profit from the growing illicit trade of sandalwood. 

The CS also stated that the global demand for wood oil had resulted in the establishment of a vast illicit network of traffickers who sought to harvest the woods from both community and KFS-managed forests. 

She maintained that the Government banned the harvest of sandalwood in 2007, but that despite the ban, overexploitation of the tree persisted. 

According to the CS, the public ban on the woods demonstrated the commitment of multiple stakeholders, including the KFS, DCI, ODPP, Judiciary, and the KWS, to preventing forest destruction through illegal sandalwood harvesting in community forests.

DCI Director Mr Mohamed Amin said that the East African Sandalwood had been listed within the Wildlife Conservation and Management Sixth Schedule as an Endangered Species, adding that it was in the same status as the White Rhino, African Elephant and the Blue Whale.

“We appreciate the need for multi-agency collaboration in the fight against wildlife, forestry and fisheries crimes in Kenya, and acknowledge that no institution can single-handedly manage this fight,” he said. 

Also present during the exercise was the US Ambassador to Kenya H.E Ms Megan Whitman, KFS Chief Conservator Mr. Julius Kamau and Kahawa Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. Boaz Ombewa among other dignitaries.