KFS Seeks More Funding to Secure Public Forests
Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining in Machakos County, KFS officials said the agency is facing financial constraints that have affected key operations including training for forest rangers, fencing of public forests and improving road access within forest reserves.
Led by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, the KFS delegation urged the committee chaired by Vincent Musyoka to support increased funding to help secure the country’s forests and support tree-growing initiatives.
“Honourable Members, the budget for tree growing has been enhanced, but we request the committee to support additional resources for continuous training of our ranger officers, settlement of pending debts, seedling production and securing forests through fencing and opening up access roads,” Lemarkoko said.
However, members of the committee raised concerns over the conduct of some KFS officers, particularly their interaction with communities living near forest areas.
Musyoka criticised what he termed as misuse of firearms and harassment of members of the public by some rangers.
“We are concerned with the general behaviour of KFS rangers. Some are misusing their firearms. Recently it happened to a member of this committee where officers in Baringo South pointed guns at him. This has also happened to other Kenyans and must be addressed by streamlining the law guiding their operations,” Musyoka said.
The committee chairperson also alleged that some officers were involved in illegal logging activities instead of protecting forest resources.
“Some officers cut down trees and sell them illegally when they should be protecting them. Training must be taken seriously so they can engage lawfully with the public,” he added.
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Barasa, defended the request for increased funding, saying more resources are needed to support the State Department of Forestry and strengthen forest conservation efforts.
Together with Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi, the CS urged lawmakers to support the government’s tree-planting programme and protection of public forests across Kenya.
Barasa noted that a significant number of trees have deteriorated due to challenges such as inadequate fencing and limited resources for forest management.
Also appearing before the committee were Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai and Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno, who requested additional funding to implement development projects under their respective departments.
Lawmakers, however, urged the ministry and its agencies to ensure prudent use of public funds and prioritise projects that deliver tangible benefits to Kenyans.
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