Nairobi, 12 October 2023 – Today, the environmental court has barred the government from lifting the ban on logging, but allowed the felling of 5000 hectares of mature forest. In response, Greenpeace Africa Digital Mobilisation Officer Tracy Makheti has said:
“Greenpeace Africa celebrates this news. Kenya needs more trees – not less. The ongoing climate crisis continues to affect lives worldwide, necessitating such bold decisions.
The Kenyan government, along with its counterparts across the continent, has the opportunity to take a leading role in showing the world that we do not need to cut down our forests in order to develop. Alternative solutions which prize our custodianship of nature are possible, as long as we are brave enough to pursue them.”
“The environment court reminds us not to sacrifice our future for temporary gains,” ended Makheti.
In July, President William Ruto restated Kenya’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by the year 2032 to restore forests and fight climate change. Greenpeace Africa urges the Kenya government to demonstrate this commitment to forests by prioritizing existing forests over hopes for saplings.
ENDS
Contact details
Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected]
Ferdinand Omondi,
Greenpeace Africa Communications and Story Manager [email protected], +254 722505233