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{
    "id": 408206,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/408206/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 94,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Abdalla",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 382,
        "legal_name": "Amina Ali Abdalla",
        "slug": "amina-abdalla"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, the Member for Chuka/Igambang’ombe, hon. Muthomi Njuki sought a Statement regarding the logging of Kiamuriuki Forest in Chuka by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). He was concerned that 35 acres of land at Kiamuriuki Forest were allocated to four loggers at a cost of Kshs8 million to clear all the trees on the land within a week. This has been, in his opinion, without the involvement of the sub-county and the clearance from NEMA. He then requested a Statement and I wish to read the response which we received after consultation with the Director of the Kenya Forest Service in a meeting held on 19th November, 2013. Hon. Speaker, harvesting of tree forest plantations in Chuka Forest Station mainly Kiang’ondu 1E and Kiang’ondu ID and Kiamuriuki IE was authorized by the KFS in October, 2013. The area allocated to five prequalified saw millers was 10.72 hectares which is equivalent to 26.5 acres and comprised the four major exotic tree species namely, gravelia, piners, cypress and eucalyptus which were roughly nine million and ready for harvesting. Hon. Speaker, the important phrases to note here is that they are majorly exotic species and they are ready for harvest. Two, the purpose of the harvest was to replace the exotic species with indigenous species through enrichment planting. This is different from the allegation made by the Member that it is clearing. Enrichment planting means that they will plant in the spots where they have removed the trees. The KFS told us that this activity entails replacing exotic species with the indigenous ones. The Forest Officer in charge of the area was instructed to ensure that the area was replanted immediately. The Member wanted to know why the local community was not involved. The key prerequisite for prequalification of saw millers as per the forest participation with sustainable management rules, 2009 include that the saw miller must have machinery with a minimum recovery of 35 per cent, logging equipment, trained personnel, proof of financial capacity and tax compliance which is the basis on which the saw millers are allocated the plantations. One of the four beneficiaries is the Mount Kenya East Conservation Association which is a community forest association that is currently involved in the preparation of the forest management plan for Chuka Forest Station. It is expected that the members of The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}