By Antony Zoka
Rabai residents in Kilifi County have raised concerns over the increased destruction of sacred Kaya Forest as collective efforts between youth and local administration arrest two, recovering firewood and charcoal.
The two suspects Tsimba Mwakoyo and Willy Mwakoyo are under police custody awaiting to be taken to court on Wednesday 4th December.
Speaking after the arrest, Rabai location area chief, Antony Jao, warned that Kaya Forest should be a no-going zone.
“For the last three days in conjunction with volunteer youth, we have launched an operation dubbed, (Operation Linda Misitu) aimed at weeding out those involved in forest destruction. We have arrested two while security agents are trailing 6 others and soon, they will be arrested too.” Revealed Jao.
According to Jao, only Kaye elders, forest officers, environment officers and Rabai Cultural Village members and security officers will be allowed to visit Kaya area warning that any other person will be arrested and charged for forest destruction.
The administrator maintained that it was time for the Rabai community to condemn the on-going destruction and called collective responsibility to end this problem.
Similar sentiments were shared by Rabai Sub County climate change chairperson, Charles Chitswa, warning that in the next one year if the rate of destruction continues there will be no Kaya Forest.
According to Chitswa Rabai, risk losing 20 million from the World Bank that was meant to restore Kaya Forests.
“It’s painful to see the Rabai community bringing down our forest yet others want us to preserve them. We need to act as the impact of the ongoing destruction is already affecting us all.” Said Chitswa.
He maintains that it’s an irony to see donors channeling funds to maintain the Kaya Forests while on the other hand some of us are cutting down the available trees instead of planting more.
Elizabeth Tsuma called on the Rabai community to make a habit of planting trees every rain season as a way of combating climate change.
“As we focus on restoring Kaya Forest, we need to ensure we plant trees around our homes, we have been struggling with limited rains due to deforestation, now that it’s raining we need to plant more indigenous trees that are drought resistant.” Advised Tsuma.
Rabai Sub County Kaya Elders chairperson, Daniel Begarero, expressed dissatisfaction over the poor reaction rate by the authorities to save the sacred forests.
“I have been reporting incidents of destruction but nothing tangible has been done to stop this vice, however it’s never late and we need to have all stakeholders work together now going forward.” He said.
According to him, Kaya Elders who have been vocal in raising their voice on the forest destruction have been threaten by cartels, adding that,
“Some of us fear for our lives, those fond of Kaya destruction have threatened to kill us for what they term as denying their daily bread.”
At the same time, Rabai Cultural Village coordinator, Mohamed Kadilo, called on the Rabai community to join hands as those destroying the forests are targeting to destroy all efforts to save the forests.
“Those who are on police radar who are responsible for cutting down the trees in the forest have also slashed down over 2000 indigenous seedlings from a project of the Rabai Cultural Village that were meant to be planted in the forest.” Revealed Kadilo.
