Ruto Lifts Nationwide Logging Ban, Pledges Kenyan-Made Furniture Revolution

NAIROBI, Kenya - President William Ruto has announced the lifting of a six-year nationwide logging ban, signaling a major shift toward revitalizing Kenya's timber industry and sparking a local furniture manufacturing boom. The decision, unveiled on Monday at Molo Technical and Vocational College in Elburgon, Nakuru County, targets the harvest of mature trees only, aiming to unlock idle timber resources while prioritizing sustainable practices and youth employment.

The ban, first imposed in 2018 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to safeguard Kenya's forests from rampant deforestation, had sidelined vast timber reserves and crippled domestic production. This led to heavy reliance on imported furniture, especially from China, which has drained foreign exchange and stifled local innovation. Ruto's move marks the second attempt to reverse the policy; his initial effort in June 2023 was halted just two months later by a High Court ruling from Justice Oscar Angote. The court granted orders staying the government's directive on revoking previous gazette notices for degazettement of forest areas and reintroducing the shamba system, citing inadequate public participation in the process. It remains to be seen if this latest announcement will draw similar legal scrutiny from conservation groups or the Law Society of Kenya.

In a bid to prevent unchecked exploitation, Ruto stressed that the lifting applies strictly to mature trees ready for harvest. These resources will soon be available for purchase by local sawmillers across the country, injecting life into dormant factories and supply chains. "We shall reopen the timber factories here in Elburgon," Ruto declared, directing Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui to clamp down on furniture imports from China. "I have told my Minister of Trade, Mr. Lee Kinyanjui, that importing furniture from China must end. We will use our wood to make furniture."

The president painted a vivid picture of economic transformation, centering Kenyan youth at the heart of it. "Furniture in Kenya will use timber from here, and our Kenyan youth will create that furniture," he said, underscoring a pledge to empower the next generation through skill-building in carpentry, design, and manufacturing. To ensure responsible implementation, Ruto plans to convene with regional sawmillers on Tuesday, where they will hammer out clear guidelines for sustainable harvesting. This includes protocols to avoid overexploitation and maintain ecological balance, addressing long-standing fears of environmental degradation.

The policy arrives at a promising moment for Kenya's forestry sector. According to recent data from the Economic Survey, timber sales from government forests surged more than threefold last year, climbing to 618,800 cubic meters from 159,400 cubic meters in 2023. This growth followed a temporary easing of restrictions and reflects the untapped potential of the industry. Forestry and logging now account for 2.1 percent of Kenya's gross domestic product, up from 1.8 percent the previous year, with the sector's overall value ballooning to Sh344.2 billion from Sh277.4 billion. Remarkably, these gains have coincided with environmental stability: Kenya's total forest cover has held steady at 5.226 million hectares over the past four years, preserving a national coverage rate of 8.8 percent.

Proponents view the lift as a catalyst for job creation and import substitution, potentially slashing billions in annual furniture imports and fostering a "Kenyan-made" revolution in home and office goods. Factories in timber-rich areas like Elburgon could roar back to life, training thousands of young people in value-added processing and export-oriented production. Yet, critics worry about the pace of regulation. The 2023 court block highlighted gaps in stakeholder engagement, and without robust enforcement, there is a risk of illegal logging creeping back in, threatening biodiversity hotspots.

Ruto's announcement aligns with broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda goals, which emphasize resource mobilization for inclusive growth. By channeling local timber into domestic manufacturing, the government hopes to build resilience against global supply chain disruptions and elevate Kenya's position in East Africa's wood products market. As sawmillers gear up for Tuesday's talks, the focus will sharpen on balancing economic windfalls with green safeguards, ensuring that Kenya's forests fuel prosperity without fading away.

This development caps a turbulent chapter for the sector, where conservation clashed with commercial needs. With mature trees now fair game under controlled conditions, the stage is set for a furniture renaissance, one plank at a time.