Kenya’s National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment Forestry and Mining has lifted the Committee’s stop orders that have been barring the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) from proceeding with the procurement process of sawmillers and subsequent logging of their forest cover at Eldoret International airport and Boma airstrip in Eldoret.
The orders which came in place following public outcry that cited allegations of under valuation of the two assets measuring 600 acres and 100 acres respectively has been in place since June this year.
The decision has came after a meeting of the Committee with stakeholders including the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) represented by the acting CEO Dr. Mohammed Gedi, Kenya Forest Service(KFS) who did the first valuation in 2014, the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) brought in by the House Committee following the investigations into the allegations and the Chief Conservetor of Forest in the Country.
After a detailed perusal of the documents which was followed by a visit to the forest cover, Committee Chairperson, Vincent Musyoka, in consultations with Committee Members have given a green light to KAA to proceed with procurement and sale of the trees as earlier intended.
“As much as we don’t want to treat you with suspicion, we hope there will be no compelling evidence or information contrary to what you have provided to this Committee that might warrant a revisit to the issue, the Committee is lifting the stop orders and KAA can now proceed with their plans on the forest cover”, Hon. Musyoka said.
Also in attendance was the CS in the Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Mulongo and her PS in the State Department for Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi.
