Kiambu outlaws uprooting of coffee and tea for real estate development.

Governor Ferdinand Waititu has outlawed uprooting of coffee, tea bushes as well as tree cutting in both private and government forests in Kiambu County.

While addressing the press in his office yesterday, Waititu pointed out that wanton destruction of tea and coffee bushes had negatively impacted on production of the two cash crops adding that the move was aimed at reviving the ailing coffee and tea industries in the county.

The governor warned those found contravening the directive will be dealt with accordingly.

“Real estate developers who from now henceforth buy land in tea or coffee estates should continue tending the same. Anyone who contravenes this directive will be dealt with accordingly,” warned Waititu.

The real estate sector, which has been experiencing a boom in Kiambu County, is set to suffer a setback after this ban.

At the same time, Waititu said the county is set to build 13,000 housing units, which will be made available to residents at affordable prices.

He said revenue collection had improved from Sh9 million to Sh46 million per week, adding that the money would be used for development. Waititu further said his government had lowered various rates to attract investors to the county.

He reiterated that small-scale businesses such as barber shops, salons and hawkers had been exempted from paying any fees. However, some small-scale business owners had earlier opposed tax exemption, saying they needed efficient services including water supply and drainage, which could only be achieved if they paid levies.