Charcoal traders in Kilifi County claim they have made losses of up to Sh1 billion following the nationwide ban.
They said on Saturday that they put a lot of money into buying charcoal from
Dakatcha Woodland Forest yet they now can't collect the product.
About 10,000 bags are at collection centers in Dakatcha.
Traders who spoke to the Star said that at least 300,000 people have been rendered jobless and that most of them depended entirely on the forest.
Three Kenya Forest Service officials were suspended on Thursday for allegedly
being behind a charcoal selling syndicate that is contributing to massive destruction of Dakatcha which is in Magarini.
Rodgers Mwabaya, the Secretary General of Magarini Charcoal Producers Association, said they have been waiting for the charcoal since February.
He dismissed the report of
massive destruction at
Dakatcha and said their association was legally established under the Forest Act, which is aimed at protecting and conserving community forests.
"We
followed all laid down procedures, including carrying out an environment assessment test and complying with tax laws," he said after their meeting at Sabaki bridge.
Mwabaya wants the government to allow them to
transport the 10,000 bags of charcoal from the forest so they can cover their costs.
"The government will not succeed in conserving Dakatcha Woodland Forest if it does not involve locals," he warned.
“In Magarini, only one officer has been suspended. They will conduct operations during the day and at night we shall continue producing charcoal."
'BAN WILL HAVE DEVASTATING EFFECTS'
Transporter
Judith Ominde said she took a loan of Sh1 million to
buy charcoal to transport to Nairobi and that she does not know how she will repay it.
Ominde said more than 50 traders made huge investments.
“The charcoal is still at the site. We urge authorities to allow us take it since it was produced late last year before the ban," she said
Ominde added that some of the business people were stressed to the point of illness while others could not go home because of debts.
Morris Mangi, who is Adu Ranch Cooperative Society Chairman, said more than 45,000 have dropped out of school due to lack of fees.
"Majority of the residents depend on the forest for a livelihood as they are poor. Youths will end up joining criminal gangs," he said.
Mangi said illegal charcoal production was by
cartels near Galana Kulalu and that their association has been in the forefront of helping with their arrests.
“We are the ones who normally carry out operations to arrest culprits destroying forests. Our association is also in the forefront of tree planting because we know the importance of trees,’’ he said..
Daniel Charo, Chairman of Magarini Transporters Association and a resident of Dakatcha, added that they planted about about 700,000 seedlings to conserve the forest.
He said over 500,000 were swept by floods that hit the area after River Sabaki broke its banks.
A tour of Kasikini village in Dakatcha found loads of uncollected charcoal. Drivers were seen driving empty vehicles.
Christine Dira, a mother of 15, said the ban had worsened poverty and that her children had nothing to eat and could not go to school as she had not sold any of her charcoal.
Joshua Kahindi, a resident of Dakatcha and former Community Forest Association member, wondered why the government had not taken action against cartels in Galana Kulalu, "that produce charcoal freely".
In Dakatcha alone, he said, 13 schools and villages depend on the forest for survival