Police officers in Imenti Central District on Thursday intercepted three suspected illegal loggers who were transporting timber from Mount Kenya forest.
Area deputy OCPD James Ngetich said police also recovered 68 pieces of cedar tree timber with a street value of about KES 60, 000 before impounding the lorry which was transporting the items towards Meru town for sale.
"The 3 suspects including the driver and his 2 loaders namely Haron Kinoti,Lawi Kinyua and Gedion Kinyua were intercepted at Murigi village in Kithirune location at around 4am following a tip-off from the members of the public," said Ngetich.
He said the suspects who are briefly being held at Kariene police station will be charged with theft of forest products once investigations are complete.
He said the impounded lorry and timber were taken to the same police station and will be used as evidence against the suspects.
He attributed the rising cases of illegal logging in the area to the high demand of timber occasioned by the on-going construction and fencing of numerous houses in both Meru town and the planned Isiolo resort city.
"To preserve the environment and the water catchment areas,the government will remain vigrant in order to ensure all those involved in illegal logging are brought to book.They should be planting trees especially during this rainy season instead of cutting them to enable the country achieve it forest cover target,"said the deputy OCPD.
He said in order to preserve the environment, all stakeholders should put concerted efforts by working harmoniously and urged residents to give any information they have over illegal logging to enable police arrest and take appropriate action against the culprits.
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