By John Lepeto
A senior police officer in Samburu County is set to be arraigned for engaging in an illegal activity.
Samburu East Police Commander Juma Ombata was arrested yesterday while ferrying sandalwood logs in a government vehicle.
He was pounced on in Wamba while transporting the rare tree species in a police vehicle.
County Commissioner Henry Wafula said the security team was committed to taming illegal harvesting of sandalwood in the county.
The tree that has multiple benefits including for making traditional medicine, perfumes and pharmaceuticals is almost becoming extinct in Samburu and neighbouring counties due to continued and rampant tree felling.
Efforts to protect the species have been unsuccessful due to alleged collusion between security officers and the dealers.
