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Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Aden Duale has remained adamant that the ban on the exportation of raw veneer.

In a statement on Monday, December 16, 2024, Duale said that the government would not issue new licences to companies that export veneer.

“The Ministry remains firm on the ban, introduced following stakeholder petitions. A one-time permit was granted to 16 companies to export 19,000 metric tonnes of verified stock held before the ban. Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is under strict orders not to issue new licenses. Traders are encouraged to establish local factories for value addition, aligning with BETA’s vision for job and wealth creation in the timber value chain, Duale stated.

Issuing the ban in August 2024, Duale maintained that the suspension is a resolute measure in support of the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy.

Duale noted that this strategy, which aims to restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded landscapes by planting 15 billion trees, is a testament to the Government’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.

“Recent reports have highlighted the premature harvesting of immature trees on farmlands, a practice that threatens the success of the Government’s reforestation efforts,” he observed.

The CS added that by halting the export of raw veneer, the Government intends to curb this practice, ensuring trees are allowed to mature and contribute effectively to the national restoration goals.