Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has announced plans for opposition leaders to visit the Aberdare Forest next week to investigate reports of trucks transporting timber from the protected ecosystem amid growing concerns over deforestation.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Muturi said the planned visit would seek to establish the source of the timber, the authorisations behind its harvesting and its intended destination.
Muturi raised the concerns while addressing residents of Junda and Shanzu in Mombasa County, insisting that Kenyans deserve transparency and accountability over activities that could threaten the country’s vital water tower.
The former Cabinet Secretary questioned who was responsible for the reported timber transportation, where the wood was being taken and whether the activities complied with environmental protection laws.
“The Aberdares are a critical water tower, supporting millions of livelihoods, sustaining rivers and protecting the ecological balance of our country,” Muturi said, warning that any activity threatening the ecosystem required urgent scrutiny.
He further claimed that timber from the Aberdares was being used in the construction of affordable housing projects, raising questions about the sourcing of building materials for government-backed developments.
Muturi challenged the relevant authorities to explain whether timber used in public housing projects was obtained through lawful and environmentally sustainable means.
He also questioned who was benefiting financially from the timber trade, arguing that the country should not allow private interests to profit at the expense of environmental conservation.
The planned visit, according to Muturi, is intended to establish the facts surrounding the reported activities and push for accountability where any unlawful harvesting is established.
The Aberdare Forest is an important catchment area that supports river systems, agriculture and water supply for communities across several parts of Kenya. Its conservation remains critical to protecting biodiversity and sustaining livelihoods.
Muturi’s remarks come amid renewed attention to forest conservation and the need for authorities to ensure that the exploitation of natural resources does not undermine environmental protection efforts.
However, the allegations regarding timber transportation and its alleged use in affordable housing projects require verification from the relevant government agencies.
The opposition leaders are expected to use their planned visit to seek answers on the reported movement of timber and determine whether any environmental laws or regulations have been breached.
Muturi maintained that the exercise would focus on establishing the facts and ensuring that anyone found responsible for unlawful activities is held accountable.
