Charcoal traders in Kitui County have resorted to camping in forests to get around a strict ban championed by Governor Charity Ngilu.
On Friday, Deputy Governor Wathe Nzau and County Police Commandant Antony Kamitu were shocked to find out that more than 1,000 people had pitched camp in big forests including Sosoma.
They have been cutting trees and making charcoal
without the knowledge of the county enforcement officers.
They both issued a stern warning and asked police to flush the culprits out and save the forests.
"I am calling for cooperation by all stakeholders from the national and county governments to put a permanent end to the business which has been thriving in Kitui despite strict measures," said Nzau.
"Who do these traders think they are? They should know we will not relent."
The DG said their mission came after lorries ferrying charcoal from the county were impounded. The drivers lied about having permits from counties including Lamu and Kilifi.
"The ban is nationwide. [Do these people think]
Kilifi and Lamu are outside Kenya and how on earth can they use Mwingi-Thika-Nairobi road from Lamu and Kilifi?"
On May 13, Nzau and Mwingi youths intercepted three lorries, each carrying more than 200 bags.
The owners claimed to have permits from Kilifi and Lamu and Nzau said that they violently resisted arrest "as if they were carrying their own property".
On the same day, Kitui Environment
executive John Makau said he was
sure money police, traders and county enforcement officers were getting money.
"I have no faith in them," he said.
Kamitu termed the tour a success in the quest to find the employer of the people arrested in Mwingi on several occasions.
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