Environment Minister Soipan Tuya has accused individuals of unlawfully encroaching upon forests and engaging in activities such as charcoal burning, which violate Kenya's laws.

This development was observed since the announcement of the lifting of a logging ban earlier this month.

Environment Minister Soipan Tuya said "the lifting of the ban only applies to commercial forests" and involves less than 8% of the tree cover in the country.

“We have Kenyans who think the forests are free for them to go and erect structures and engage in illegal activities as well as lease out forest land,” Ms Tuya added.

According to reports, President William Ruto lifted the ban on logging imposed since 2018, in order to create jobs and open up sectors of the economy that depend on forest products.

The move came as the government pushes on with its plan to plant 15 billion trees over 10 years to increase the country's tree cover.