Sandalwood trafficking in Kenya: uprooting a valuable resource
The illicit trade is decimating an endangered species and depriving communities of a useful natural asset.
Kenya’s lucrative illicit sandalwood trade is run by community members, brokers, government officers, transporters and shipping container owners. The harvesting and trafficking of this fragrant wood is causing deforestation and cutting locals’ access to a source of traditional medicine.
This seminar will examine the trends and discuss Kenya’s options for stemming the destruction of this precious resource. Public education about the cost of sandalwood trafficking to local environments and effective implementation of the 2013 Wildlife Conservation and Management Act are key.
Chairperson: Dr Eric Kioko, Kenyatta University, Nairobi
Opening remarks: Louis Dey, EU Regional Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, Nairobi
Speakers:
Dr Willis Okumu, Senior Researcher, ENACT Programme, ISS Nairobi
Wycliffe Mauta, Researcher, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Nairobi
Jeff Okeyo, Commander, Kenya Forest Services, Samburu
Ngugi Mwangi, CEO, Unganisha Cultures, Nairobi
