Nairobi — United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has termed a lack of uniformity in regional regulations as a key enabler of sandalwood trafficking in East Africa region.

Ambassador Whitman said Tuesday that since 2002, organized crime syndicates based in eastern Africa have facilitated the illegal harvesting, transportation, and extraction of sandalwood oil to meet growing global demand.

She noted that as much as Kenya might have policies in place aimed at countering illicit trade in sandalwood and other precious species, lack of adequate regulations in neighboring countries makes it impossible to tackle the vice.

"The sandalwood trade may be banned in Kenya, but just over the border, a licensed Ugandan factory that semi-processes the wood is a convenient way to make the illegal harvest 'disappear'," Whitman said.

She was speaking during the destruction of 13.5 tonnes of illegal sandalwood estimated at Sh 54 million at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters in Nairobi.

Ambassador Whitman emphasized the need for Kenya's East African neighbors to adopt the environmental regulations that Kenya has in place to protect the endangered sandalwood species.

The American envoy went on to say that the destruction of the sandalwood tree during harvesting harms biodiversity and negatively impacts local climatic conditions.

"The misuse of this valuable resource is causing a loss of biodiversity and a source of medicine for local communities," she said.

Ambassador Whitman pointed out that every individual has a role to play in safeguarding the environment even as she acknowledged President William Ruto's efforts to mitigate climate change singling out the ongoing countrywide tree planting campaign.

"The risk of inaction is too great," Ambassador Whitman said.

She emphasized the need for community-based conservation initiatives is key for the success of the environment conservation efforts.