More than 500 members of the Maasai and Ogiek communities in Narok and Nakuru counties have given the Kenya Forest Service 14 days to issue
them with logging licences.
They said the “entire Maasai community in Narok county will demonstrate” if the licences are not issued. The residents accused KFS of issuing 100 permits to “outsiders” in Logman, Olengape and Kiptunga forests last month.
“KFS has discriminated against us in tree harvesting, yet this is our ancestral forest. It has allowed sawmillers from as far as Nairobi, Nakuru and Elburgon to enrich themselves using our resources,” said Olpusimoru MCA Wilson ole
Masikonte.
He was speaking in Olengape ward with Ogiek Welfare Council national coordinator Joseph Towett on Saturday. Resident Francis ole Naibo said KFS director Emilio Mugo ignored applications for logging licences made by seven groups. He said the groups sought audience with him more than 24 times.
“He normally dismisses us on grounds that we should form a sawmillers association before we are allowed to harvest trees,” Naibo said. Masinkonte said in Olengape, Logman and Kiptunga, 87 sawmillers “who are non-residents”
were issued with permits last month.mHe said this violates the rights of residents.
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