What is sandalwood, and why Kenya banned its harvesting?

In East Africa, the species is known scientifically as Osyris lanceolata. In Kenya, it goes by different names across communities — the Kamba call it Munyungamai or Kithawa, the Kikuyu refer to it as Muthithii, the Mbeere as Mutero, and the Maasai as Olosesiyet, among others.

Different communities attach various cultural uses and beliefs to the tree. For instance, the Samburu believe that tying sandalwood leaves around a newborn’s neck brings good luck.

According to a report by the former Director of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Ben N. Chikamai, sandalwood captured the limelight due to its overexploitation to meet international demand for perfumery and medicinal products because it's a high-value tree.

It is also known to have other benefits like its contribution to soil and water conservation, improved soil fertility, enriched biodiversity and enhanced resilience to climate change.

"The nature of exploitation of Sandalwood in Kenya raises concern about its survival in the wild as it involves uprooting of the whole tree," Chikamai stated.

"The mode and scale of harvesting has made the tree locally endangered, which threatens not only the survival of the species, but also the sustainability of the trade in the species' products. Unfortunately, while the resource base is declining, the markets of sandalwood oil have been rising."

In 2013, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) officially classified the East African sandalwood as an endangered species.