28/10/2025
Dear Governor,Tharaka Nithi County:
The President has lifted ban on logging in our forests.This is a great step in the right direction,for us in the 'juakali' sector,those in furniture business.
For a long period,furniture dealers in this region have suffered greatly due to scarcity of suitable wood for furniture.Now we can breath a sigh of relief,since now the popular 'múthaití'(camphor),Meru Oak,and other such indigenous wood is going to be back in the market.
Mr.Governor,some of the timbers I have listed above,e.g:camphor and Meru oak are rare to find in other forests,which makes them some of the most sought after by furniture dealers from other counties.
It's due to this,that whenever our forest is opened for logging,all licenced timber merchants 'export' this commodity to Nairob and other cities,leaving the small-scale furniture workshops in our county without any access to this commodity.These local juakali furniture dealers only get leftovers,and these at high prices.Sometimes they wait for a very long time for the leftovers to to be available.
Our governor,we suggest that the county government comes up with a timber factory,with a public timber yard,,whereby the local furniture dealers,may access this commodity.
Our,governor,the county government also loses alot in revenue when this commodity get ferried to Nairobi,for it benefits the Nairobi citizens,not Tharaka Nithi county! How? The lorries which ferry these timbers,the crews spend their money outside our county,in foods,lodgings,etc.
What of if these people come in our county, to buy from our factory? All the spending would be right here, and our hotels, lodgings,and other businesses would thrive.
Our governor, if there's a legacy you may leave to our Juakali sector, is looking along this direction. Thank you.
~Patrick Muchiri,
Chairman,Chuka Juakali Association/County chairman representing KNFJKA(Kenya Federation of Juakali Associations).
