The ban on mangrove logging is still in force in Lamu County despite Deputy President William Ruto’s directive to have it lifted a month ago.
Loggers and traders have cited frustrations, including marriage break-ups tie to hard economic times.
Dr Ruto ordered the Ministry of Environment to lift the ban on January 2.
The ban has been in place for close to a year, traders said.
A spot check has revealed that no one has so far been allowed to harvest in the entire county.
Loggers reported arrests of those returning to the forests.
Lamu County Mangrove Cutters Association chairperson Abdulrahman Aboud said the prolonged ban has resulted in hunger and broken marriages.
Mr Aboud blamed the government for “intentionally” killing the livelihoods of more than 30,000 families who rely on mangroves trade.
He said loggers would no longer entertain false promises and vowed that he would organise demonstrations and go to court if the ban was not lifted soon.
“We are tired of the false promises by the government, ”he said.
Aboud Bahero, a mangrove dealer, said “Lamu survives on mangroves.... Lamu and mangrove are tied together.”
Lamu County Forest conservator Evans Maneno said he was waiting for directives from the ministry on when to lift the ban.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
