The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is a government agency under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, tasked with the management, conservation, and protection of Kenya’s forests and natural resources. Established under the Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA) of 2016, KFS oversees over 1.7 million hectares of public forest land and collaborates with communities, private entities, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable forest management.
Key Functions of the Kenya Forest Service
- Forest Conservation and Management: Conserves, protects, and manages all public forests in Kenya, including reforestation, afforestation, and agroforestry practices.
- Community Support and Incentives: Provides credit facilities, technical training, and incentives to community-based forest industries to encourage sustainable use of wood and non-wood forest products.
- Capacity Building for Counties: Assists county governments in building capacity for forestry and forest management within their jurisdictions.
- Research Collaboration: Works with relevant stakeholders to identify research needs and apply findings to improve forest management and conservation.
- Boundary Recommendations: Evaluates and recommends changes to the boundaries of public forests.
- Establishment of New Public Forests: Proposes the creation of public forests on unalienated public land or other public lands.
- Geographic Information System (GIS) Database: Develops and updates a GIS database of all forests in Kenya for monitoring and planning.
- Benefit-Sharing Arrangements: Establishes benefit-sharing systems for communities in line with the Forest Conservation and Management Act.
- Forest Conservancy Areas: Establishes conservancy areas for effective conservation and forest management.
- Regulation of Forest Trade: Enforces rules on the import, export, and trade of forest produce to ensure sustainability.
- Tourism and Recreation Programs: In collaboration with stakeholders, develops programs for tourism, recreation, and ceremonial use of public forests.
- Water Catchment and Environmental Services: Manages water catchment areas to support soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and other environmental services.
- Forest Status and Resource Assessment Reports: Prepares a Forest Status Report biennially and a Resource Assessment Report every five years for the Cabinet Secretary.
- Management Plans for Public Forests: Prepares and implements management plans for all public forests and assists with management plans for community and private forests upon request.
- Forestry Education and Training: Promotes education and training in forestry to enhance knowledge and skills.
- Licensing and Permits: Receives and evaluates applications for licenses and permits related to forest resources and management.
- Registration of Forest Management Plans: Maintains a register of all management plans prepared for public forests.
Kenya Forest Service Contact Information
- Head Office: Main Registry, NHIF Building, 13th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi
- Phone: 020-2689882
- Toll-Free Number: 0800 721 277
- Email: [email protected]
KFS plays a crucial role in safeguarding Kenya’s forests and promoting sustainable practices to benefit both the environment and local communities. Through its diverse functions, KFS aims to protect forest resources for future generations.
