A Kaloleni Court has imposed a fine of Sh20,000 or four months imprisonment to three men who pleaded guilty to cutting down blue gum trees at the Kenya Mining forest in Kambe Ribe in Kilifi County.
The trio, Ramadhan Katana Katsanga, Mtawali Changa Karisa and Katana Thoya Iha pleaded guilty before residence magistrate Ritah Amwayi for possessing a power saw, fuel and pangas on 29, August 2023.
Court prosecutor Shauri Fadhila told the Court that the accused were arrested by environment and police officers who were manning the area before being taken to Ribe police station for questioning and recording statements.
“The officers manning the area heard the sound of a power saw emanating from the forest and when they walked deep they saw the trio cutting down blue gum trees where they arrested them and took them to Kaloleni police station for questioning,” Fadhila told the court.
In their mitigation, the accused sought forgiveness before the court saying they were the soul breadwinners in their families.
