There will be no sacred cows in war on graft in all sectors of the government, Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has warned.
Speaking after executing President William Ruto directive to fire 23 forests rangers involved in corrupt dealings, CS Tuya stressed that anyone found culpable of criminal activities and destruction of forests will face the full force of the law.
“The Chief Conservator of Forests has effected the immediate dismissal of 23 forest officers whose case have been under investigations and have been found to be in gross misconduct through various acts of abetting and conniving with criminals in the destruction of forests.” The CS observed.
She added that in addition to the 23 a number of other forest officers are currently under investigations with the government keen to rid Kenya forest services of rotten elements.
“We are here again to send a strong warning to all Kenya Forest Service officers including the board of directors and the management that there will be no sacred cows, anyone found abetting aiding or conniving to deplete our forest resources will face the full force of the law.” She said.
Meanwhile, CS Tuya announced that plans are underway to implement national landscape and ecosystem restoration programme which will involve planting of 500 million trees in the country before this Christmas.
She confirmed that the government will take advantage of the upcoming short rains to undertake the tree planting programme in line with its vision of growing of 15 billion trees in the country.
“Towards the growing of 15 billion trees it will be a zero sum game if on one hand we claim to be planting 15 billion trees while on the other hand we cannot protect and conserve that which we already have”. Tuya said.
The CS also assured forest rangers that the government will improve their welfare including affordable and decent housing.