27.9 C
Accra
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
WorldKenya calls for an investigation into baobab uprooting for export

Date:

Kenya calls for an investigation into baobab uprooting for export

Kenyan President William Ruto has directed the environment and forestry ministry to investigate the ongoing uprooting of baobab trees along the country’s coast.

It comes after reports that environmental experts are concerned about the export of massive trees from Kilifi country to Georgia.

The local newspaper Daily Nation reported last week that Kenyan authorities had granted a foreign company permission to cut the trees for botanical purposes for two years.

Last month, the Guardian newspaper said campaigners were accusing people of “biopiracy”. Buyers were persuading locals to part with the trees on their land.

But on Monday, Mr Ruto said there “must be adequate authorisation and an equitable benefit-sharing formula for Kenyans”.

He also asked the ministry to ensure that the uprooting “sits within the Convention on Biodiversity”.

The baobab trees have huge trunks and may live for hundreds if not thousands of years, often dwarfing other plants around them.

They store large quantities of water inside their trunks to endure the harsh conditions of the arid areas in which they live.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

GH¢100bn allocated for payment of monthly allowances of Assembly Members

During the presentation of the 2025 Budget Statement in...

Betting tax was never enforced – Fmr Finance Minister

Former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adam has noted that...

Gov’t allocates GHS100m for Assembly Members’ allowances

The government has set aside GH¢100 million to pay...

2025 BUDGET : Allocations to various sectors, programmes

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has unveiled the...

Augustine Ahinful kicks against multiple management committee for national teams

Former Ghanaian footballer Augustine Ahinful has raised concerns about...

MDAs award contract worth GHC194bn – Dr Ato Forson

Finanace Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has revealed that,...

Related stories