Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro has expressed fears that the county is turning into a desert due to deforestation.

The governor said wanton destruction of forest cover due to charcoal burning has resulted in the county receiving erratic rainfall.

Speaking at Karisa Maitha grounds in Kilifi on Thursday, Mung’aro said on Monday while on an aerial survey of the county’s forest ecosystem, he discovered massive destruction that points to the reason why the county is receiving devastating drought.

He warned that security teams will in the next few days begin a crackdown on charcoal transporters.

“I toured Galana Kulalu, Baricho and the Dakacha woodlands to see the status of the forest cover and it is unfortunate that people have destroyed the forest to a large magnitude. If this is not controlled then we should prepare for the worst because there will be no forest cover left in the near future,” said the Governor.

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He toured the county together with Kilifi county commissioner Kutswa Olaka, Kilifi Chief Forest conservator Elvis Fondo and Kenya wildlife service officials.

He called for the need for people to look for alternative sources of income to save the forests.

Mung’aro said the increased human encroachment and burning of charcoal was partly responsible for the human-wildlife conflict because the animals have no place to get their forage after the destruction,” said Mung’aro

“We saw about five trucks loaded with charcoal deep in the forest. These Lorries carry the charcoal to Nairobi. We have also discovered about 500 stations used as charcoal collection centres. We have to end this with immediate effect,” he said.

Olaka said their goal as county security committee is to make sure that measures are taken for the protection of the forest ecosystem which has been largely destroyed.

“The county security committee will work hand in hand with the county government to make sure that all forests within the county are protected. It was evident during our survey that there is a beehive of illegal activities endangering our forests and we shall work together to end this menace as soon as possible,” he said.