On December 21 last year, President William Ruto marked his 56th birthday by launching a programme to combat climate change.
It included the distribution of 1,000 tonnes of tree seeds to 18 centres across the country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stop and reverse deforestation, and restore 5.1 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes through the African Landscape Restoration Initiative.
A few days earlier, the government had stopped the export of live baobab trees from the Coast and ordered an investigation into how a foreigner had been allowed to take the trees out of the country.
However, nearly two weeks ago, the government approved the controversial export of the ancient baobab trees from Kilifi to Georgia, contradicting President Ruto’s tree-planting programme to combat the effects of climate change.
The export of live baobab trees, many of which are more than 100 years old, by Ariba SeaWeed International company to Shekvetili Dendrological Park Ltd in Ureki, Ozurgeti Municipality, has raised concerns among conservationists who have described the move as an irony to the President’s initiative, which aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Of concern, too, is the threat of biopiracy, where the tree is commercially exploited, especially by the exporters obtaining patents that could restrict its use.
After issuing a permit in November, and weeks later revoking it after the President ordered an investigation, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Chief Conservator Julius Kamau allowed a Georgian, Mr Georgey Gvasaliya, to export eight baobab trees.