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Tag: Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Alex Lemarkoko

  • KFS cadets ready for passing out parade, President Ruto to officiate event

    KFS cadets ready for passing out parade, President Ruto to officiate event

    A cohort of 467 Forester Trainees and 102 Inspector Cadets will graduate from the Forest Law Enforcement Academy in Gilgil on Monday, marking a historic milestone for Kenya’s forest conservation efforts.

    The passing-out ceremony, to be held on October 28, will be presided over by President William Ruto, underscoring the national importance of forest protection and law enforcement.

    In anticipation of the event, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Alex Lemarkoko joined the cadets in their final rehearsals Friday, commending their dedication and progress over the last six months of rigorous paramilitary training.

    Lemarkoko praised the instructors, highlighting the Kenya Forest Service’s growth in training its own personnel, a first for the service in terms of a unified program for both technical and security officers.

    This year’s training is unique in its integration of both technical forest officers and security personnel, aimed at streamlining command and fostering collaboration in the field.

    Addressing the recruits, Lemarkoko reminded them that their recruitment directly responded to President Ruto’s directive to bolster the KFS’s workforce, equipping it to handle Kenya’s growing conservation challenges.

    The CCF encouraged the cadets to apply their skills effectively, noting the high bar set by the 2,700 KFS Rangers who graduated in 2023.

    He challenged the trainees to emulate and surpass these standards, perfecting their drills and demonstrating the quality of their training at the upcoming ceremony.

    As the 569 cadets prepare for their pass-out, this graduation not only enhances Kenya’s commitment to sustainable forest conservation but also strengthens its capacity to protect invaluable forest resources across the country.

  • Communities near forests seek gov’t guidance on grazing regulations

    Communities near forests seek gov’t guidance on grazing regulations

    People living near forests have asked the government to sensitize them to the guidelines for grazing in public forests.

    The communities in uplands Limuru in Kiambu said they needed the education as they do not want to clash or disrupt the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) efforts to restore forests, especially in areas where trees were cut down years ago without being replanted.

    This request comes in response to the new grazing guidelines in forests released by KFS on Monday.

    KFS stated that the Grazing in Public Forests law, enacted in 2005, was poorly enforced, and the new measures aim to protect trees and vegetation better.

    Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Soipan Tuya announced on May 13th this year that the state will not allow the grazing of animals in public forests as part of efforts to protect seedlings planted in the ongoing national tree-growing campaign.

    Peter Wachira from Githirioni in Lari sub-county, who has benefitted from the uplands forest, asked Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Alex Lemarkoko to start educational forums.

    Wachira said, “The CCF is supposed to ask the forest station managers, county forest conservators, and their staff to teach us how to graze in public forests in a guided way not interfere with their work. We want to be law-abiding people.”

    Wachira, who revealed that he rears 23 sheep and three cattle in the uplands forests, added that he cannot allow himself to be among those who knowingly break the law.

    According to KFS, they will increase efforts to stop illegal grazing, focusing on conservation and community involvement.

    Communities benefit from forests through activities like grass harvesting, grazing, and tourism under the Community Forest Association.

    Under the new law, grazers need a permit and must register with forest stations, which will track grazing activities.

    Uplands CFA official John Mwathi supports the law, saying it will help protect the forests.

    “Whenever there is no law, the people who have pride take advantage of undermining people like us in the CFA. Now, the law will assist us in ensuring there is discipline within the CFAs and the grazers,” he said.

    Mwathi suggested arranging a meeting for people who graze, including those who want to graze in the forests, to inform them about the law.

    “We want to support the government, the CFA, and the KFS in the conservation of forests and the environment at large. We want to ensure President William Ruto’s directive of planting 15 billion trees by 2023 is achieved,” he said.

    During last month’s ban, CS Tuya said that grazing animals in the forests would not continue as it was interfering with the government policy of planting trees in degraded areas of public forests, only for livestock to come in and clear them all over again.

    The Kenya Forest Service protects around 6.4 million hectares of gazetted forests and another 420 million acres under county jurisdiction.

    Kiambu County has six major forests, with Kieni and Kinale forests occupying an area of 426.62 square kilometres.