FORESTRY POTENTIAL IN THE DRYLANDS · 2017-04-28 · technical officersto help mitigatethe...

A Quaterly Magazine of The Kenya Forest Service : Issue No.12 :: April - June 2014

KENYA @ 50 SECRETARIAT TO PLANT 50 MILLION TREES

KENYA FORESTRY COLLEGE STUDENTS GRADUATE

FORESTRY POTENTIAL IN THE DRYLANDS

THE FORESTER :: APRIL - JUNE 2014

Cover Photo: A view of Marsabit Forest

EDITOR - Anne Kaari

SUB EDITORS - Charles Ngunjiri - Leakey Sonkoyo

STAFF WRITERS - Lydia Ogada - Michael Muratha - Caroline Kahuria - Esther Munyingi - Susan Ndethiu - Sarah Wacera - Brian Karani

CONTRIBUTORS - Col. J.N. Kimani - Monicah Ruto - Tito Okello

DESIGN - Fuchamedia

PRINTERS - Wiltech Communication Printers

04 - LEAD STORY -ForestryPotentialinTheDrylands

06 - GENERAL NEWS -KenyaForestryCollegeStudentsGraduate

16 - PICTORIALS20 - PROJECT NEWS -Redd+ImplementationinKenya22 - COMMENTARY -WatershedManagement24 - STATION PROFILE -ShamanekForestStation25 - STAFF NEWS -KFSCommandantAwarded28 - FEATURE -KipiniConservancy29 - FROM THE FILES30 - HUMOUR AND LEISURE32 - KNOW YOUR TRESS

Inthis12thissueoftheForester,wehighlightanumberofongoingactivitiesandeventsthathavetakenplaceinthelastquarterofthefiscalyear2013/2014.OurmainfocusinthisissueisonDrylandForestryandthe immensepotential thearidandsemi-arid lands (ASALs)hold in termsofgrowth in the forestrysectorandalsotowardsstrengtheningtheeconomyandthelive-lihoodsofpeoplelivingintheseareas. The Service has also been partnering with numerousstakeholderssuchastheEmbassyofSouthKorea,KenyaNationalHighwaysAuthority(KENHA),TOYOTAKenyaandKenyaElectric-ityTransmissionCompany(KETRACO)amongothersinenviron-mentalconservationthroughtreeplanting. It isencouragingtoseecorporatecitizensengaging in treeplantingasoneof theircommunitysocialresponsibilityactivities.Thiswillgoalongwayin increasing the country’s tree cover. We therefore call uponotherpartnersinboththepublicandprivatesectortojoinusinthisnoblecourse. TheServicecontinuestopromotetheprotectionofthemajorwatertowers inthecountry. tothisend,KFS joinedRhi-noArkKenyaCharitableTrustatthisyear’sRhinoChargewhosemainobjective is to raise funds to fence theMt.KenyaForest.Thiswillbe important inthepreventionofhuman-wildlifecon-flictsaswellashelpinprotectingtheforestfromdestruction.Wealsohighlightthegraduationofover220studentsfromtheKenyaForestryCollege this year. TheCollege continues toplayan important role towards enhancing the capacity of technicalofficersinforestmanagementandprotection.Catchallthisandmoreinthe12thissueoftheForesterMaga-zine.

KFSwillbeawardingoneluckywinnerofthe‘StarLetter’soweareencouragingyou towrite touswithyourcommentsandqueriesandstandachancetowin.Best letter to theeditor to receiveabrandedKFS t-shirtandcap.

Kenyaisendowedwithsomeofthemostpristineforesteco-systemsintheworld.Sheisblessedwithsomeofthemostdiverse forest ecosystems around from the moorlands torainforests,tropicalandprobablytheonlyremainingcoastalforestintheregion.Theseareimportantnationaltreasurersthatcitizenshavethesoleresponsibilityofconserving.Ken-yansmustneverlosesightoftheimportantrolesthattheseforestsplayintheirdailylivesnomatterwheretheylive.In years goneby, our forestsweremoreexpansive andul-timatelymorediverse.Butwithpopulationgrowthandde-mand forwood from industries, forests have continued toshrink,sometimesatanalarmingrate.

Kenyawasonthevergeoflosingandindeedmayhavelostsomeofitsplantspecies.Thisinturnhasthreat-enedtheveryexistenceofsomeanimalspecies. WithoutArabuko-Sokoke Forest at the Coast for example, animalspecies like the Golden Rump Elephant Shrew and theSokokeScopsOwlwhichareonlyfoundinthatforest,wouldnotbeinexistence.Itisforthisreasonthatthegovernmentset aside some areas for forest conservation and animalhabitats. Our forests are perhaps the only heritage that ahumangenerationcanbequeathanothergeneration.Soitisincumbentuponustopreservethefewforestresourceswehaveandfindabetterwayofsupplementingthembyforexampleplantingtreesfordomesticand industrialuse

onour farms.TheKenyaForestService(KFS)continuestoworkwithfarmersthroughitsFarmForestryProgrammetoequipthemwiththenecessaryskillsandknowledgeonbestpracticeintreegrowing.Thisincludeshelpingthemadoptthebestspeciesfordifferentpurposes. The Service is also aggressively pursuing tree growingand conservation of available vegetation in the drylands.Through its Drylands Programme, the Service is workingwithresidentsofthedrierpartsofthecountrywhichmakeupabout80%ofthecountry,toconservedrylandforests,whichareuniquebiodiversitiesandalsotoadopttreespe-ciesthathavebeenfoundtodowellintheseareas.


DIRECTOR’SFORWARDWordfromtheDirector

OurEnvironmentEnvironmentisanythingthatsurroundsus.Beforewelitter,wemustimagineifitisrightorwrong.Theenvironmentthatsur-roundsuswasbetterbutnowitisunpleasant.Somepeopledonotcareandtheythrowpolythenepapersandotheritemsany-wheretheywant.Iftheyknewhowmuchtimeittakestodecay,theywouldstopinstantly.ThatiswhyIamnotsupportingthemindestroyingtheenvironmentthatGodgaveus.Tothepeoplewhocutdowntrees:cuttingdowntreesleadstosoilerosion.Pleaseavoiddoingso.Donotdestroyourbeauti-fulenvironment.

Andtothosewholitter,didyouknowmostofthislitterendsupinourwatersources?Waterislifeandifitwasnotthere,wewouldnotsurvive.Weshouldlearntorecycletheitemsthatcanbeusedlater.PleaseKenyansandallpeoplefromothercountries,letuscon-serveourenvironmentsothatwecanshine. AmosKimosopKibor-11yrs.

LETTERS

DavidK.Mbugua-KFSDirector

The county’s arid and semi-arid areas which coverabout80%ofKenya’s total land surfaceandhold25%of thehumanpopulation,areuniqueinnatureandrequirespecialat-tentiontostrengthennotonlytheeconomicbaseoftheinhab-itantsbutalsothenationaleconomy.Theyalsoofferthegreat-estpotentialforintensifiedafforestationtowardsachievingthenationalobjectiveof10%treecover.

Asmuchasdrylandforestshavethepotentialtosupplymarketablecommoditiesonasustainablebasis–suchasgumsand resins, aloe, charcoal, essential oils, silk, edible oil, com-mercial juices, frankincense, indigenous fruits, honey, thatch-ingmaterialsandtimber–an improvement inthe livelihoodsof thosepeople living in theArid and Semi-arid areas (ASAL)willdependupondevelopmentofprocessingtechnologiesandmarketsforthenon-woodforestproductsandtheprovisionofsufficienteconomicincentives. Desertification,whichistheprocessofdegradingthedrylandsintodesertsisamajorprobleminthedrylands.Mostoftheseprocessesoccurasaresultofmanycausesbothnaturalandhuman.Destructionofvegetationcoverindrylandsoccursfor a varietyof reasons such asovergrazing, over cultivation,fuel wood collection and burning. Stock grazing is themostwidespreaduseofdrylandsanditiswidelyregardedasamajorcauseofdesertificationowingtoitsincreasedintensity.

ThemajorroleoftheKenyaForestService(KFS)inthedrylands

is sustainablemanagement and utilisation of drylands forestresourcesforcommunity livelihood improvementandclimatechangemitigation. The Service is increasing and maintainingtheareaunder tree cover inASALS through institutional treeplantingapproachesandrehabilitationsofdegradedareasforenhancedenvironmentalconservationandlivelihoodimprove-ment.KFSisalsopromotingsustainableinvestmentsindrylandforestenterprisessuchasbeekeeping, silkandaloe farming,valueadditionforproductssuchasgumsandresins.

TheServicehasisalsoenhancingitsinformationgen-eration,disseminationandtechnologytransfercapacitywithintheASALareas.KFShasstartedprogrammestoensurethatthesustainableforestrymanagementpracticesareachievedinthedrylands. These include the promotion and establishment ofsuitablemultipurposetreespeciesintheASALSaswellaswaterharvestingandconservationmeasuresinthedrylands

The Service in conjunction with stakeholders including theCountyGovernments is alsopromoting catchmentprotectionandrehabilitationandalsosupportingcommunityinitiativesinsustainable utilizationof tree products throughpromotionofvalueaddition.

Other activities aimed at developing dryland forest-ry includestreamliningthecharcoal industryforsustainability

LEAD STORY

ForestryPotentialinTheDrylands


ProsopisJuliflora'Mathenge'Tree

VegetationintheDrylands

LEAD STORY

ConservingMarsabitForest


Located170kmeastofthecentreoftheEastAfricanRift,MarsabitDistrictnearthetownofMarsabit,MountMars-abitisathickforestthatisshroudedinmistandfogwithhighmoisturelevelsandcooltemperatures.The forest iscritical insustaining lifenotonlywithin the for-estbutalsointhesurroundingareas,includingMarsabittown.Theforestandthesurroundingareashaveadiverserangeofecosystemservicesthatincludewaterprovision,climateregu-lationandacarbonsinkreservoir.

Theforestalsoprovideswoodfuel,medicinalplantsandgrazingareaswhichareparticularlyimportanttothesur-rounding communities and thepeople living adjacent to theforest.

Inabidtoreducedeforestationratesthathavebeensorampant,theGovernmentofKenyainitiatedtheNorthernKenya Biodiversity Conservation project to run for five yearsfrom July 2013 to 2018with a need to optimize ecosystemsservices,particularlywaterandenergyprovisioninanareaofnorthernKenyathatcentersonMarsabitforestanditsnaturalresources.TheprojectisbeingfundedbyAgenceFrancaisedeDevelopment(AFD)atacostofKshs1.2billion.

Theprojectismeanttobenefitcommunitieslivingad-jacenttotheforest,particularlycommunitiesinthreeconserv-anciesamongthemSonga,ShurrandJaldesa.OtherpartnersincludeKenyaForestService,NEMA,relevantNGO’sandKWS.

throughformationofcharcoalproducerassociationsinalltheASAL forest areas and establishment of woodlots of suitabledrylandstreespecies. TheServiceisalsoworkingwithotheragenciesinclud-ingtheKenyaForestryResearchInstitute(KEFRI)toidentifyanddeveloptreespeciesthatcanwithstandtheclimaticconditionsoftheASALswithaviewofintroducingthesetotreefarmers.KFS is also sensitising pastoralists on sustainablemethods of

grazingbybuildingontheIndigenousTechnicalKnowledgesuchasdeferredgrazingpatterns.Otherapproaches includetheGreenSchoolsProgrammethataimsatinvolvingeducationalinstitutionsintreeplantingactiv-itiesnationally.

ForestryPotentialintheDrylands

VegetationintheDrylands.

GENERAL NEWS


Over220studentsundertakingcertificateanddiplomacourses in forestry graduated at the Kenya Forestry College(KFC)Londianirecentlyatacolourfulceremonypresidedoverby theCabinetSecretaryMinistryofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResourcesProf.JudiWakhunguamongotherdignitar-ies.

Speakingattheeventinwhichthe28thand37thdiplo-ma and certificate classes respectively graduated, theMinis-tercongratulatedthestudentsforsuccessfullycompletingthecourseandjoiningtheforestrysectorwhichsheaddedneededtechnicalofficerstohelpmitigatetheeffectsofclimatechangeandenvironmental degradation. “You are joining the forestrysectoratatimewhenweasacountryaregrapplingwithchal-lenges brought about by climate change. So you should playyourpartasexpertstoassistinaddressingthesechanges,”shetoldthestudents.

Addressingthesamegathering,theChairmanofKenyaForest Service (KFS)Mr. Peter Kirigua also congratulated thestudents andurged them to continue furthering their educa-tionsothattheycangainmoreskillstoworkintheforestrysec-tor.“TherearemanyopportunitiesnowinthesectorasmoreKenyanshaveembracedforestryandwillneedyourtechnicalservicestohelpthemmanagetheirforestestates,”saidMr.Ki-rigua.

Onhispart,KFSDirectorMr.DavidMbuguasaidthattheServicehadassistedthecollegeimproveitscapacitybyinvest-inginbetterinfrastructure.Hesaidthatwiththecompletionofthehospitalityandconferencefacilityatthecollege,itwasnowinabetterpositiontoattractbusinessasthegovernmenthaddirected that all state conferences andworkshops be held ingovernmentfacilities.

Whileaddressing thestudentsandguestswhohadat-tendedtheceremony, thecollege’sPrincipalProf.DonaldOg-wenosaidthatthecollegehadrevieweditscurriculumwithaviewofmakingitmorerelevanttothepresentrealitiesofthesector.Headdedthattherewasmoreemphasisonentrepre-neurship in thenewcurriculumas the forest sectorwasnowbeingviewedasaviablecommercialactivitywhichthegradu-atescanengagein.

ThePrincipaladdedthatthecollegehadalsodiversifiedthe courses offered to include short courseswhich arebeingoffered to theneighbouring community at aminimal fee.HesaidthecollegewasalsoworkingwiththeUniversityofEldoretwithaviewofdevelopingadegreecoursetobeofferedattheinstitution. The college has also partneredwith a number ofuniversities inFinland inorderto improvethecapacityoftheteachingstaff.

KenyaForestryCollegeStudentsGraduate

EnvironmentCabinetSecretaryProf.JudiWakhungubeinggivenatouroftheKenyaForestryCollegecampus.

CabinetSecretaryMinistryofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResourcesProf.JudiWakhunguduringtheceremony

GENERAL NEWS

CommunitiesParticipateinTreePlanting

FoundationtoPlant250ThousandTrees

KenyaForestService (KFS) joined theKimakiaCom-munityForestAssociationonthe6thofMay2014inplantingtreesinKiambuCounty.Communitiesadjacenttotheforesthavebeenengaginginconservationeffortsthroughanen-hancedrelationshipwithKFS.

Addressing the community during the event, KFSBoardChairmanMr.PeterKiriguaurgedfarmerstoutilizetheopportunitygiventothemincollaboratingwithKFSthroughestablishmentofnurseriestoimprovetheirlivelihoods.

HenotedthatitwasimportantfortheAssociationtohaveaneducationaltourtootherareasparticularlyGathiuruCFA inNanyuki to openup theparticipantsminds to newopportunitiesthatcanbeusefulfortheirowndevelopment.Thiswillallowthemtoseeprinciplesofplantgrowth,man-agementandalsolearnhowtoengageinincomegeneratingactivitiestobettertheirlives.

Speakingduringtheplanting,KimakiaCFAChairper-sonDanielMuruguwasgrateful for thesupport theyhavereceivedfromKFSinregardstounderstandingParticipatoryForest Management. This has accorded the community asenseof ownership of thenatural resources around themandtheirbenefits.

Mr.KiriguaalsonotedthatKFShasbeencollaborat-ingwithschoolsthroughtheGreenSchoolsandCommercialTreeGrowingProgramme,toensureschoolsestablishtheirownnurseriestosustainthemselveseconomically

The Kagoech Foundation Trust will plant 250 thou-sand seedlings this rainy season in a campaignwhichwilleventually see itplantingover10million seedlings in fourcounties namely; Elgeyo/Marakwet, Uasin-Ngishu, Nandiand Baringo. This was said by the Foundation’s ChairmanMr.MicahKigenduringthelaunchoftheGreeningSchoolsPhaseTwoProgrammeinItenrecently.

Speakingatthesameevent,theKenyaForestService(KFS)ChairmanMr.PeterKiriguawhowastheChiefGuestsaidthatKFShadaNationalProgrammeforplantingtreesinschoolswhichwillseetheparticipationofallpublicschoolsinKenya.HeaddedthattheServicehadidentified20schoolsineachconstituencywhichitwillassistinestablishingtreenurseriesandwoodlots.

The Chairman also used the opportunity to thankpeoplewhohadvoluntarily lefttheEmbobutForestsayingthatKFSwillworkwiththemtorestoretheforest.“Iassureyou that the Servicewill involve you in the restoration ofEmbobutForestwhichisnowfreefromforestinvaders,”hesaid.He furtherurged themto joinCommunityForestAs-sociations(CFAs)sothattheycanenterintomeaningfulen-gagementswithKFSasstipulatedbythelaw.


KFSBoardChairmanPeterKirigua,KimakiaCFAChairmanDanielMuruguandProjectManagerNorthEasternAberdareRehabilitation&LivelihoodProjectCatherineMwangiplantatreetomarkthelaunchoftheevent.

SchoolChildrenplanttreesduringthelaunchofKagoechFoundationTrust'streeplantinginitiative

KFS rolledout another initiativeof theGreen SchoolsandCommercialTreeGrowinginRwambitiPrimarySchool,Gi-chuguConstituency,KirinyagaCountyon5thApril,2014whichsawmorethan300treeseedlingsplantedintheschoolprem-ises.

In a speech readoutby theMinistryof Environment,Water and Natural Resources Conservation Secretary, Gide-onGathaara, promised that thenationalgovernmentwouldworkhandinhandwiththecountygovernmenttoincreasethecounty’streecoverinlinewithKenya’svision2030goalof10%treecover.Mr.Gathaaraencouragedthepupilsinattendance

tohelpinplantingtreesintheirschoolsandalsoathomeasanincomegeneratingactivityforthem.

Speakingduringtheevent,theareaMemberofParlia-mentHon.NjoguBaruareinterredhiscommitmenttothecon-servationoftheenvironmentforthepeopleofGichuguCon-stituency.HesaidthathewouldpushfortheestablishmentofanEnvironmentdayinKirinyagaCountythatcouldseeschoolsthat practice environmental conservation rewarded. He alsosaidthathewouldsupportthegreenschoolsinitiativesothatthemovementwouldencompassallprimaryschoolsandsec-ondaryschoolsinthecountytohelpintheconservationofourforests.

The representative of Kirinyaga County’s Minister forEnvironment, Water and Natural Resources reiterated thecounty’scommitmenttoconservetheforest.Thiswillbedonebythesettingasideofpartofthecounty’sbudgetforthees-tablishmentofacountyforestatthesouthofNgariama.ThisprojectwillcostthecountyKsh.500,000.00.Healsosaidthatthecountygovernmentwouldinvestintherehabilitationofur-banforestinKerugoyaandalsothedemarcationandfencingoftheforestsinthecountytohelpintheconservationofforeststhatfallwithinKirinyagaCounty.

GENERAL NEWS


KFSjoinedtheKenya@50Secretariatandotherstake-holders in planting trees at the People’s Park in MachakosCountyon23rdMay,2014.Theinitiativewasaimedatplant-ing50milliontreesinthenextthreeyears,towardsachievingthe10%treecover.

Speaking during the event KFS Board ChairmanMr.PeterKiriguanotedthattheServicehasbeenensuringthatthesettargetisachievedthroughengagingstakeholdersandschools through the Green Schools and Commercial TreeGrowingProject,wherestudentsareencouragedtopartic-ipate in tree growing for environmental sustainability andcommercialgain.

HenotedthatseveralschoolsintheCountyhadbeenselectedfortheprogram,amongthemKatheiniinKang’un-do, Ndovoini in Athi River, Thatha in Masinga, MakutanoinMwala andMuumandu.Heemphasized the importanceof theprogram in assisting students to sustain themselvesthrough establishment of tree nurseries and woodlots intheirrespectiveschools.

Alsopresentattheevent,theKenya@50SecretariatCommunicationDirectorMr.MohammedHusseinnotedthattheinitiativewillhelptheCountyandmoresotheCountry,inachievingthetargeted10%treecover.

KFShasbeenencouragingpartnershipsfromGovern-ment institutionsand thePrivate sector inabid toensurethatthe10%treecover isattained.Environmentalsustain-abilityiskeyinensuringthatoursocietycontinuestoenjoyeconomic gain andmore importantly address issuesof cli-matechange,whilestillconservingtheenvironment.

KirinyagaCountyLaunchesGreenSchoolsandCommercialTreeGrowing

50MillionsTreesPlantedbyKenya@50Secretariat

ScoutsfromMachakosCountyplanttreesatMachakosPeople'sParkasNationalBankCEOMr.MunirAhmed(left)andKFSBoardChairmanMr.PeterKirigualookon.

SeniorDeputyDirectorFieldOperationsEmilioMugowatersatreeinRwambitiPrimarySchoolinGichuguConstituency,KirinyagaCounty.

GENERAL NEWS


Kenya Forest Service marked its3rd tree planting partnership with theRepublic of Korea by planting trees atKareraForestinKiambuCountyon30thMay2014.TheeventwasgracedbytheSouth Korea Ambassador to Kenya Mr.Choi Donggyou. Speaking at the event,Mr. Donggyou reiterated the KoreanGovernment’s continued commitmenttowards seeing Kenya achieve its goaltowards attaining a better environmentandbecomingdeveloped.“IamhappytobeinKenya,itisabeautifulplacetobeinandIcanassureyouthatourfriendshipwithKenyawillcontinuetogrow”,Dong-gyouwhotookoverfromChan-WooKimaffirmed.

The Korean Government haspledged its continued support to theKenyan Government in increasing thecountry’s tree cover. South Korea Am-bassador

ChoiDonggyousaidthathisgov-

ernmentiswillingtoworkwithKenyatocontinuemaintaining thehistoric forestfriendshipwhichisinitsthirdyearnow.

Also present at the functionheldat theKareraForestBlockuplandswas KFS Board Chairman Peter Kirigua,KFS Director DavidMbugua, KFS seniormanagement staff, Korea Embassy staffamongothers.

Speakingduring thesameevent,KFSBoardChairmanPeterKiriguaspokeof the partnership as being among themajor contributors to the increasingforest cover in the country. “Throughthispartnershipwehaveso farplanted7,000 seedlings covering an area of 10hectaresandthegeneralsurvivalstandsatover80%”,hesaid.Healsourgedthecommunities living within the forest toprotectitespeciallyfromloggersandtoavoidovergrazing.HeassuredtheKore-anGovernmentthatKFSwascommittedtocontinueworkingwiththem.

While thanking the Korean Gov-ernment for their continued support,

Kenya Forest Service Director Mr. Da-vidMbugua called on the internationalcommunity to partner with Kenyans intreeplantingactivitiesacrossKenya.Healsoaddedthatthegovernmentplanstofenceallpublicforestsinthecountrytoreducehumandestructionandhelpfor-est rangers and the communities livingneartheforestsintheireffortstoprotecttreesfromillegallogging.Therewillalsobe specific entry points into public for-ests.Atotalof4400treeswereplantedthatday.

Other dignitaries who werepresent at the event include theDepu-ty County Commissioner Lari County, arepresentative from the Timber Manu-facturers Association and Kiambu MCAMr.JosephGithaiga.KFSwasrepresent-ed by theHead of Conservancy-CentralHighlands John Wachihi, the DeputyDirector-Legal Esther Keige, Deputy Di-rector-ForestConservationEsauOmolloand the Deputy Director-Finance andAccounting Anastacia Muasya, DeputyDirector-ForestExtensionPatrickKariuki,Head Corporate-Communications AnneKaari, Ecosystem Conservator-KiambuMr.GeorgeNjengaandotherstafffromthe KFS headquarters and KFS KiambuCounty.

KenyaForestService-KoreaTreePlanting

AccordingtotheForestsAct2005,allstateandcountyforestshavetobemanagedusingaParticipatoryForestManage-mentPlan(PFMP)negotiatedandagreeduponbetweenKenyaForestService(KFS)andCommunityForestAssociations(CFAs)living adjacent to forests. After the PFMP is finalized, a legalcontractwhichstipulatesresponsibilitiesandbenefitsforeachpartyisthensignedtogiveeffecttothePFMP.Tothiseffect,KFSrecentlysignedover15Managementagreementswithcommu-nitiesacross thecountrywhichwill goa longway in improv-ingconservationandmanagementofourforestscountrywide.Speakingatoneofthefunctionswhereshepresidedoverthesigningof8ParticipatoryForestManagementAgreements,KFSSeniorDeputyDirectorSupportServices,Ms.MonicahKalenda thanked theCFA forworkingtirelessly to rehabilitate the for-ests.SheassuredthemthatKFSwillempowerthemwithcapac-itybuildingskillstodevelopotherincomegeneratingactivities.

Speaking elsewhere, the Chairman Saboti Community

ForestAssociation,Mr.JosephKiboisaidthatthecommunitieshadbenefitedfromthePlantationEstablishmentandLivelihoodImprovementScheme(PELIS)eversincetheystartedworkingwithKFS.HeaddedthatthemembersofhisCFAwhoaremainlysubsistence farmers,hadbeenempoweredeconomically andwerenowattheforefrontofrehabilitatingandconservingtheirpartoftheMt.ElgonForest.

Theagreementsareveryessentialforthecommunitiesastheycamewithmanybenefits includingbutnot limitedtocollectionofmedicinalherbs,beekeeping,collectionofwoodfuel,grazingandgrassharvesting.

Theplansandagreementshaveenhancedtherelation-shipbetweenKFSandthecommunityasitallowsforcommunityparticipation,managementandconservationofpublicforests.AmongotherForestStationswheremanagementagreementsweresignedincludeCastle,Muriganto,LowerImenti,Chogoria,Sabor,Londiani,Koibatek,Nyangores,Olenguruone,WireandKinale.

KFSSignsForestManagementAgreementswithCommunityForestAssociations

SouthKoreaAmbassadortoKenyaMr.ChoiDonggyouisreceivedbytheKFSDirectorMr.D.KMbuguaandtheDeputyDirectorForestExtensionServicesMr.PatrickKariukiatKareraForestinKiambuCounty.


KFS joined the Ngong Road Forest Association, ChaseBankandthecommunityon20thJune2014assectiononeoffencingoftheurbanforestwaslaunched.

TheforestwhichissituatedontheoutskirtsofKenya’scapital,hasbeenunderconstantthreatofillegalpoachingandencroachmentfromprivatedevelopersthusdepletingthefor-estresources.Theelectricfencingwillthereforeprovidesecu-rityforusersofthesouthernbypassandsafeguardtheforestresourcewhichservesasasourceofemploymentforthecom-munitiesadjacenttotheforest.

Speakingduring the launch,Ngong ForestAssociationChairmanMr.SimonWoodsnotedthattherewasaneedforurgentattentiontowardsprotectingtheforestsinceithasthepotentialtobecomeasafe,self-sustainingandinclusivegreenspace in sustainable forestmanagement.Heemphasized theneedforcollaboration,“Wehopetoculturethesupportofallthe community living andworking around the forest, as thisforestisasmuchforthemandtheirlivelihoodasitwillbeforthosewhowishtoenjoyitpurelyforitsrecreationalfacilities,suchaswalking,joggingandmountainbiking.”hesaid.Healso

tooktheopportunitytourgepotentialpartnerstojoininandbepartofthechangeastheypreparedtocommencefencingofothersectionsoftheforest.

Speakingattheevent,KFSDirectorMr.DavidMbuguanoted the need for forest conservation to support the com-munitiesat large“Asthecommunitymanagetheecotourismdevelopment potential of Nairobi, once the revenue startsstreamingin;thebeneficiariesarethecommunities”hesaid.Henotedthatitwasthroughfencingoftheforestthatmaxi-mumbenefitswillbeachieved.Heencouragedthecommuni-tiestotransformtheforestfromaplantationintoabiodiver-sityhotspotthroughplantingof indigenoustrees,supportingrecreationalsitesandmaintainingtheaestheticvaluewhichistypicalofanurbanforest.

AlsopresentattheeventwasMs.MagdaleneMulandifromChaseBank,whonotedthattheBankwaspleasedtobeapartnerinthisnobleactivityofgivingbacktothecommunityandbeingpartofenvironmentalconservation.

FencingNgongRoadForest

KFSandKonzaTechnopolisDevelopmentAuthoritywillpartnerinplanting1000treeseedlingsinKonzaCity,MakueniCounty.Thetreeplantingprojectismeanttoimprovethearea’streecoverandalsotobeautifytheICThub.

This project will be divided into phases with the firstphasebeinglaunchedinJuneofthisyear.ThisfirstphasewillseetheKONZAmanagementauthorityplant1000treeseedlingsalongthe9kmperimeterfencethatboardersMombasaroad. PlantingoftreesinKONZAispartofthedesignplanoftheICTHubthatwillhousebusinesses,schools,arecreationalparkandresidentialhouses.ThisisalsooneofthepillarsinthedirectorofKODTA’sperformanceagreementtomakethehub

environmentallyfriendly.Thetreeplantingprojectwillhelpinthecreationofjobs

forcommunities livingaroundtheareathroughhiringofcas-uals fromvillages in theareaandprocuringof treeseedlingsfromnurseriesinthearea.ThisprojectwillalsoplayavitalroleinsupportingKFS’targetofattainingthe10%treecoverbytheyear2030.

This partnership is timely as KFS in the recent pastlaunchedtheGreenSchoolsandCommercialTreeGrowingpro-jectinabidtomobilizestakeholderstoplanttreesforagreeneconomy.

KFSPartnerswithKonzaTechnoCitytoIncreaseTreeCover

10

FromLtoR-ChaseBankHeadofBrandandMarketing,Ms.MagdaleneMulandi,NgongRoadForestAssociationChairman,Mr.SimonWoods,NairobiCountyHOC,Ms.CharityMunyasiaandKFSDirector,Mr.D.K.Mbugua

GENERAL NEWS

GENERAL NEWS

CorporateCitizenshipforIncreasedTreeCover

Corporate Citizenship or Corporate Social Respon-sibility (CSR) is a management concept whereby companiesintegratesocialandenvironmentalconcernsintheirbusinessoperations and interactionswith their stakeholders. The tri-ple-bottom-line approach defines CSR as the way throughwhich a company achieves a balance of economic, environ-mentalandsocialimperativeswhileatthesametimeaddress-ingtheexpectationsofshareholdersandstakeholders. Astheworld’spopulationincreases,sodoesthepres-sureonlimitednaturalresourcesrequiredtomeetrisingcon-sumerdemand(GraceandCohen2005,147).Industrializationespecially in Africa is booming thanks to foreign investmentand new technology. Most consumers are becoming moreawareoftheenvironmentalandsocialimplicationoftheirpur-chasingpowerandthishasledthemtowanttobeidentifiedwithorganizationsthatareenvironmentallyconscious. Inthisindustrialagewheremorecompaniesareenteringthemarketandcompetingforashareof themarket,companiesneedtocomeupwithwaysthatcanmakethemstandoutfromthepackandattractevenmoreclientele.MorecompaniesinKenyaareinvestingpartoftheirresourcesintreeplantingas

oneoftheirCSRactivities.Thiscanhelpimproveanorganiza-tion’scorporateimageastheyareseentobeenvironmental-lyconsciousbythecommunity.Plantingoftreesalsohelpsinreducinganorganization’scarbonfootprint,therebymeetinginternationalstandards. KFShasbeenable topositivelyutilize theCSRconcept in itsmandateofincreasingKenya’streecover.Thisyearalone,KFShas so far partneredwith Kenya Electricity Transmission Co.Ltd.(KETRACO)andToyotaKenyainplantingtreeseedlingsinNgongRoadforest.InthemonthofMay,bothcorporateshaveplanted1200seedlingseach in the15haofdegradedsite intheforest.Lastyear,KETRACOplanted1400treeseedlingsandthroughitspartnershipwithKFS,wehavebeenabletoachievea90%successrate.TheorganizationpromisedtocontinueitspartnershipwithKFSandhelpinincreasingKenya’streecover. ThroughitspartnershipwithKFS,ToyotaKenyaaimstoplant5000treeseedlingson500haofforestlandinthenext3yearsaspartofhelpingtheServiceinitsmissiontoenhanceconservationandsustainablemanagementof forestsandal-liedresourcesforenvironmentalstabilityandsocio-economicdevelopment.

11THE FORESTER :: APRIL - JUNE 2014

AssistanttotheM.DToyotaKenya,SayotoMoritaplantsatreealongthesouthernby-pass,Nairobi.

Climate change is increasingly becoming evident in thiscentury.We are experiencing droughts, flash floods, landslidesandavarietyofotherphenomena.Unfortunately, theseoccur-rencesarehavinganegativeeffectonourinfrastructure.Roadsandbridgesarefloodedonceitrainsandinsomecasestheyaresweptawaybythefloodwaters.Thishasbeenwitnessedalotinaridandsemi-aridareas(ASALs)wherethereislittleornovegeta-tiontocounterfloodwaters.Thishasseenthegovernmentdivertmoneymeantfordevelopmentprojectstorepairingtheseroadsandbridges. It isbecauseof this that theKenyaNationalHigh-waysAuthority(KENHA)hasdecidedtoincorporatetreeplantingintoallitsplanningandroaddesigns.

Theauthorityhastoensurethattheytakeintoconsider-ationthe impactofflashfloodsonall infrastructurebeingcon-structed.This is in linewiththeClimateChangeAdaptationAc-tionPointno.5oftheNationalClimateChangeActionPlan2013–2017onclimateproofingallroadsinASALareasinKenya.Theseareasarepronetoflashfloodsandifvegetationisnotaddedtothem,floodwaterswillendupinnon-ASALareas.

As part of their corporate social responsibility activities,KENHAinpartnershipwithChinaRoadsandBridgeCorporationandKFS,plantedtreesalongthenewlyconstructedNgongRoadinterchangealongtheSouthernBy-pass.Thesetreesaremeanttonotonlybeautify theareabut alsohelp in thefightagainstclimatechange.Byplantingtreesalongtheroads,KENHAiscon-tributingtowardsachievingthe10%treecoverasenvisionedinVision2030.SpeakingonbehalfoftheKENHAboard,boarddi-

KENHAFightsClimateChangeThroughPlantingofTreesAlongHighways

Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Forest Research InstituteandotherstakeholderscametogethertomarktheKEFRIOpenDayon16thMay,2014atKarura,offKiamburoadinanefforttoconservetheenvironmentwiththerunningtheme,‘EfficientTechnologies inProcessingandUtilizationofForestProducts’.Theoccasionwaswellattendedbyprimaryschoolchildren,uni-versitystudentsandpeoplefromallwalksoflife.

KFSadvocatesfortheconservationoftreesthroughtheuseofimprovedcharcoalproductiontechniques.Themainen-ergysavingtechniquesondisplayincluded:theuseoftheim-provedearthkiln, casamekiln,drumkilnandportablemetalkiln.Thebenefitsassociatedwiththeuseofthekilns includeuseoflesswoodthussavingourforests,employmentopportu-nitiesfortheyouthandlesscarbondioxidetransmissiontotheenvironmentduringthecharcoalmakingprocess.Othercom-mercial farm forestry exhibits on display were tree productssuchastablesandstoolsmadefrombamboo.VariousherbalproductsfromdifferenttreesliketheNeemtreeandAloeVerawerealsopartoftheexhibits.TheBaobabtreeandDate

palmtreewhichproduce‘mabuyu’anddatesrespectivelywereusedasanexampleoffoodproductsthatcomefromtrees.Beekeeperswerenotleftbehindastheydisplayedhoneyandwaxfrombeesthattheykeepinforestareas,thususingtheforestforincomegeneratingactivitieswithoutcausingdestructiontotheenvironment.

KFSstaffwerereadilyathandtoanswerquestionsfromthemembersofthepublicregardingdifferentservicesprovidedandways inwhichwecanallhelp inconservationofKenya’sfores

KFSParticipatesinKEFRIOpenDay

GENERAL NEWS

rectorMr.KephaN.M.OyaracalleduponallKENHAstaff,consultants and contractors to enhance their efforts andcapacitiesinordertoeffectivelyworktowardsprovisionofgreenroadsandcontributetomakinglivesgreen.

12 THE FORESTER :: APRIL - JUNE 2014

FromLtoR:KFSHeadofConservancyNairobiCountyCharityMun-yasia,KenyaNationalHighwaysAuthorityDirectorGeneralEng.M.OKidendaandChinaRoads&BridgesCorporationProjectMan-agerShuYiLeewateratreeplantedalongthenewlyconstructe

KFSForesterCharlesUtolo(left)explainsapointtovisitorsattheKFSstandduringtheKEFRIOpenDay.

Bamboo is the fastestgrowingplant in theworldwithstudiesshowingthattheplantcangrowtoatleast20metersinthreemonthsgiventherightconditions.Theplantissaidtoemployabout1.5billionpeople in theworldwith the indus-tryestimated to rack inUS$11billionannually.China is thelargestproducerof bamboo in theworld accounting for 80%oftheworld’sproductionbutonlyconsume60%ofwhattheyproduceandexport the rest. InAfrica, Ethiopia is the largestproducerofbambooandbambooproductsaccountingfor1/3ofwhatisproducedinthecontinent.Thisequatesto1millionhectaresoftheplant.

Inthe1940, largetractsofforest landwereclearedbythe colonial government in Kenya for large scale agricultureandbythe1980s,thisbegantohaveanegativeimpactontheenvironment.This isbecausenotonlywere theyclearing thetreesbuttheywerealsocuttingdownthebambooforestsatanunsustainablerate.Inorderforthegovernmenttocurbthede-structionofthebambooforests,thethenPresidentDanielarapMoiissuedadirectivebanningthecuttingdownofindigenousbamboo,adirectivethatstillstandstothisday.

Kenya has an estimated 150,000 hectares of bambooand 95% of this is under the protection of the government.Thisisbecausebamboofarmingisarelativelynewventureinthecountry,yetthecountryhasthepotentialtoproducemuch

moreduetoitsfavorableclimate.Bamboofarmingrequireslesswaterfortheplanttogrowandalsodoesnotrequirefertilizerforittoflourish.Bambooplantshavesignificantecologicalandcommercialadvantages.

Bamboo is one of the best plants that can be used inthemitigationofclimatechange.This isbecauseof itsabilitytoabsorb largeamountsofcarbon fromtheair.Thebambooplantalsohasanextensivenetworkofrootsthatholdthesoilandprevent it frombeing erodedmaking it ideal for holdingriverbanks.

Bamboo in various forms has been known to be usedinvariousindustries.Intheconstructionindustry,bamboohasbeenusedforcenturiesinAsiaandpartsofSouthAmericaintheconstructionofhouses.Goodqualitybamboothat issaidtobestrongerthansteel,canbeusedwithcementinthecon-structionofskyscrapers.Bamboocanalsobeusedinscaffoldingduringconstructionduetoitsabilitytowithstandheavyweight.Itisalsousedinthemanufacturingofflooringasitisappealingandeasytoclean.Bamboocanalsobeusedinthemanufactur-ingofroofingtilesandwallpaneling.Splitbambooculmscanalsobeusedasguttersforwaterharvesting.BamboohasalsobeenusedinAsiaandinAfricaforfencinghomesteadsandcre-atingboundariesinfarms...

.

CommercialBambooFarminginKenyaGENERAL NEWS


BambooShoots

Bambooproducts Bambooproducts

CelebratingEarthDay

...In farming, bamboo has long being used in makingfarmtoolhandles,increasingsupportforplantssuchasbanan-as and also as props in horticultural farming of legumes andflowers.Bambooculmscanalsobeusedaswaterpipesforir-rigatingfarmlands.

Bambooshootsareused inAsiancuisineas theyhavebeenproventocontain largeamountsofpotassiumandvita-mins. Consumption of bamboo shoots by children has beenproventoshortenthemeasles’cycle.Whilecooking,bambooisausedamongmanyAsianculturesforplacingthefoodinthehollowpartofthebamboo.Thisisbecauseitgivesthefoodasubtlebutdistinctivetaste.

BamboohasbeenusedforthousandsofyearsinChinesemedicine in the treatment of infections. Its shavings can beusedinthetreatmentofcoughs,stomachupsets,nauseaandmanyotherminorailments.Recentscientificresearchindicatesthatbamboocanbeusedinthepreventionofcancer,increaseweight lossamongobesepeople, improveone’sappetiteanddigestionandalsointhetreatmentofhypertension.

Duetoitsrapidgrowthrate,bamboocanbeawonderfulalternativetofirewoodasatraditionalsourceoffuel.Itcanalsobeconvertedtocharcoal,briquettesandbiodieselthatcanbeusedasasourceoffuelforhomesandevenindustries.

Bamboo can also be used in themanufacture of highquality and aesthetically pleasing furniture. This can in turn

helpcreatejobsfortheyouthinthecountryandprovideagoodsourceofincomeforthefarmer.Bambooisusedinthemanu-factureofpaper,chopsticks,toothpicks,householdutensilsandmusicalinstrumentsandthuscouldcontributetothepreserva-tionofKenya’sforests.

KEFRIhasalsobeenconductingresearchondesignandproductionofbambooproducts.Theyareinvolvedinthetrain-ingofartisansontheproductionofqualityproductsandthishas helped in creating jobopportunities among the youthofthiscountry.KEFRIhasbeeninvolvedinresearchingthediffer-entspeciesthatcanbeplantedindifferentpartsofthecountryforprofitmaximization.

Due to its high growth rate, and itsmany uses, bam-boo farming can be a very lucrative industry in Kenya. It hasthepotential of creatingnew jobopportunities in Kenya andcontributetoKenya’sG.D.P.InKenya,KFShaspartneredwithKEFRIandNyayoTeaZoneDevelopmentCorporationtoplant25hectaresofbambootobeusedinthecuringoftea.Thiswillhelp in the reductionof energy costsby the corporationandthevillagesarounditsteazonesandatthesametimeconserveforests.TheServicehasalsoestablishedbamboonurseriesthatsupplyseedlingstothesurroundingcommunities.

CommercialBambooFarminginKenyaGENERAL NEWS


ForestsinKenyaplayacriticalroleintheprovisionofwoodfuelfordomesticdemand,mitigationofclimatechange,andareasourceofincomefromprovisionandsaleoftimber,pulpwood,charcoalandresin.Earthday iscelebratedannuallyonApril22ndtosupporten-vironmental protection and promote the understanding ofbiologicaldiversity forthebenefitandsustainabilityof lifeonearth. KenyaForestServicehasbeenattheforefrontofthisnoblecauseandhasbeencollaboratingwithMotherEarthNet-work,NairobiCountyGovernment,NairobiWaterfallConserv-ancy, CLUSA, CommunityWithout Borders, TARDA and youthgroupsinDandoratorehabilitatetheinfamousNairobiRiver.TheeventthattookplaceattheDandorawaterfall,createdagreatplatformforconservationandawarenesscreationthroughtreeplantingtoconservenaturalresourcesforfuturegenera-tions.Over300seedlingswereplantedtomarktheoccasion.

ThefocusofEarthDaythisyearisurbanrevitalizationthroughthetheme‘GreenCities’.AccordingtotheUnitedNa-tions,morethanhalfoftheworld’spopulationlivesincitiesandby2050,some6.3billionpeoplewillbelivinginurbanareas.Inaddition,thereareatleastonebillionurbanfarmersandgar-denersaroundtheworld,providingfoodandnutritiontopoorandwealthyconsumersalike. Theseinitiativeswillensureindividualsandparticular-lycommunitiesatlarge,liveinharmonywiththeenvironment,through mitigation of climate change and also for economicgrowth. KFS has been successful in these initiatives throughcommunity participation; where communities living adjacenttoforestsareempoweredandsensitizedontheneedtoplanttrees around their homes to reduce pressure on forests andtake part in developmental projects towards improving theirlivingstandards.

KFS joinedotherorganizationsandstakeholders incel-ebratingWorldEnvironmentDay inNgomeniPrimary School,KilifiCountyon5thJune2014.Thisdayiscelebratedannuallyineffortstoencouragetheglobalcommunitytorealizetheimpor-tanceoftheenvironmenttomankindandtheneedtoconservethesamesoastomitigaterisingsealevelsandsubmergence.

Theeventthemed“Raiseyourvoice,notthesealevel”wasfocusedoneffectsofclimatechangeonsmallislandsandlowlyingcoastalregionswhichareatriskofbeingsubmerged,thusthreateningtheirsurvival.

Treesserveascarbonsinksthusmitigatingglobalwarm-ing, and KFS is spearheading various initiatives towards treeplantingatalllevelsthroughdiversepartnerships.KFShasbeenengagingschoolsthroughpartnershipwiththeMinistryofEd-ucation,topromotetreeplantinginschoolsdubbed,‘GreeningSchoolsProgramme’.Thisprogrammewillenhanceforestcov-erandcarbonsinks,asthestudentpopulationhasthepotentialtoensuresurvivaloftheseedlings.

KFS has been promoting increased forest cover in thecountry, aimed at attaining the recommended InternationalStandardof10%oftheterritorialareaofanycountrytobeundertreecover.ThroughtheeffortsofKFS,thecountrynowboasts

ofa7%forestcoverbasedoncurrentassessments.

The establishment of Community Forest Associationshasfurtherincreasedtheparticipationoflocalcommunitiesintree planting, consequently enhancing ownership in environ-mental conservation. The operations of CFA’s in Kilifi Countyamongothers,haveenhancedprotectionofMangroveforestsandalsoimprovedthelivingstandardsofcommunitiesadjacenttotheforests.

Thedaywasalsocelebratedon6thJuneatDandoraSec-ondarySchoolwhereparticipantsplantedover400seedlings.Speaking during the event Nairobi Senior forest Officer Ms.JoyceNthukuemphasizedtheneedtogrowtreesbothforcon-servationandcommercialpurposes.Sheemphasizedtheneedfor stakeholder participationwhich has been instrumental inhelpingtheServiceattainthecurrenttreecoverof7%.

Itisthereforecriticalthatwealllearntheneedtopro-tectourenvironmentthroughsustainableuseofourresourcesbypracticingthe3R’s;reduce,reuseandrecyclethusconserv-ingourenvironment.

GENERAL NEWS

WorldEnvironmentDay

ThroughtheeffortsofKFS,thecountrynowboastsofa7%forestcover

basedoncurrentassessments.


EcosystemConservatorKilifiCounty;ChristopherMainaexplainsapointtovisitorsduringthemarkingoftheWorldEnvironmentDayinKilifiCounty.

15

PICTORIALS


Fromleft:RhinoArkChairmanofTrusteesMichaelKaranja,KFSBoardChairmanPeterKirigua,KenyaWaterTowersCEOFrancisOleNkake,KWSDeputyDirectorRobertNjueandExecutiveDirectorRhinoArkChristianLambarechts,presentachequeofKshs.102million,theamountthatwasraisedduringthisyear’sRhinoChargeevent.

FromLtoR:KFSDirectorMr.D.KMbugua,NgongRoadForestAssociationCharimanMr.SimonWoodsandChaseBankHeadofBrand&MarketingMs.MagdaleneMulandicutaribbonattheNgongForest.

TheKFSteamparticipatesatthisyear’sKESALevent.Theteamemerged2ndintheBushRacecategory.

KFSDirectorMr.D.KMbuguaandChairmanFriendsofKaruraCFAProf.KaranjaNjorogestandinfrontofaKaruraForestposterduringtheUnitedNationsEnvironmentAssembly(UNEA)conferenceattheUNofficesinNairobi.

NairobiSeniorForestOfficerMs.JoyceNthuku(left)explainsapointtoHerExcellencyTheFirstLadyMrs.MargaretKenyattaduringaprizegivingdayatStateHouseGirls,Nairobiastheschool’sPrincipalMrs.JoanMuotilookson.

FromLtoR:Col.(Rtd.)J.NKimani,Commandant;ENCOM,Rt.Rev.BishopKamau;In-chargeEmbuDiocese,Col.(Rtd.)StephenMuigai;RegionalCommandantEasternConservancyandRt.Rev.BishopSalesiusMugambi;BishopIn-chargeUniformedDisciplinedForces,plantatreeattheCatholicCathedral,Mugoya.

16

PICTORIALS


SouthKoreaAmbassadortoKenyaChoiDonggyouplantsatreeduringatreeplantingeventatKareraForest,KiambuCounty.LookingonisKFSDirectorD.KMbugua.

KFSChairmanPeterKirigua(seatedatthecentre)andtheKenyaat50SecretariatCommunicationsDirectorHusseinMohammedposeforaphotowithStake-holdersduringthetreeplantingexerciseatthePeople’sPark,Machakos

Fromleft:MachakosCountyExecutiveforEnvironmentJoshuaMusili,NationalBankCEOMunirAhmed,BAT’sJerryGilbertandKFSBoardChairmanPeterKiriguawateratreeplantedattheMachakosPeople’sPark,duringthelaunchofatreeplantingexercisebytheKenya@50Secretariat.

Eng.ShemOduorNoahandKFSBoardChairmanPeterKiriguawateratreeplantedattheUnitedKenyaClubduringtheClubNight.

FrontRowfromLtoR:FatherIn-chargeEmbuCatholicCathedral,NationalCoordinatorUniformedDisciplinedForcesChaplaincy;FatherPeterKimani,CommandantENCOM;Col.(Rtd.)J.NKimani,PresidingBishopIn-chargeofUniformedDisciplinedForces;Rt.Rev.BishopSalesiusMugambi,andotherguestsaswellasKFSstaffposeforaphotooutsidetheCatholicCathedral,Mugoya.

17

GENERAL NEWS

WorldBioenergyConference2014 World Bioenergy conference is held every two yearsand brings together stakeholders from the bioenergy sector.This year over 50 countries converged at Elmia in Jönköping,Swedenfrom3rdto5thJune,2014topresentandlearnaboutinnovationsintheenergysector. Theconferencewhichbeganin2004offersamultitudeofinterestingfieldtripsandworkshopsinabidtoenlightentheparticipantsfromaknowhowattitudetoashowhowattitude.The conference which celebrated its tenth anniversary thisyearwas focusedoncreating jobs, raisingpeopleoutofpov-erty and slowing down climate change. The workshop hasovertimeestablishedameetingplacefortheinternationalex-changeofknowledgeandexperience inthebioenergysector.Ithasdemonstratedthatbioenergyisanindustryofthefuturethroughtheinfluenceondevelopmentchangesandimprovinglivelihoodsintherespectivecountriesoftheparticipants.Inmanypartsoftheworld,energysupplyisbeingdiversifiedtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsandprovidegreaterenergysecurity.Theconferencewasnotonlygracedbytheenergyin-

dustry,butalsotheforestryindustrywhichhasgreatpotentialbothfortheefficientuseofby-productsandfordedicateden-ergyproduction. KFS has been involved in these noble activities par-ticularlyempoweringcommunitieslivingadjacenttoforeststoembrace conservation and be in the know regardingmatterspertainingtoclimatechangebothfor individualgainandalsofor environmental sustainability and energy production. TheServicehasthereforeenhancedpromotionofrenewableener-gytechnologiessinceapproximately70%ofKenyansdependonwoodfuelfordomesticuse.Thisinvolvesalternativeenergyusesuchasbiogasandenergysavingjikoswhichhasreducedpres-surefromtrees. These technologies if embracedwill slow down actsofdeforestationandmaximizeon the forests’ roleofmitigat-ingclimatechange,aswellasimprovinglivingstandardsofthebeneficiaries.

Kenya Forest Service is seeking to develop anUrbanForestryMasterPlanforNairobiCounty.ThisMasterPlanwillhelp in greening the city andmaking itmore attractive to itsresidents and also to foreign investors. Speaking during a fo-rumhostedbyKFSandattendedby stakeholders in theenvi-ronment and forestry sectors,Nairobi EcosystemConservatorStephenKahunyoemphasized theneed for all tobe involvedinthedevelopmentoftheMasterPlan,inorderforthecoun-tytobealeaderinsustainabledevelopment.

HissentimentswereemphasizedbytheHOCNairobiCounty,CharityMunyasia.TheseMasterPlanswillbealignedwiththenewconstitutionandtheNairobiCountyGovernmentMasterPlanthatisinitsfinalstages.TheUrbanForestryMasterPlanwill involveidentifyingcorrecttreespeciestobeplantedindifferentlocationsaroundthecounty,maintenanceofthesetreesandthepartnerswhowillbeinvolvedinthemaintenanceofthesetrees. The forum gave attendees an opportunity to look atdesign case studies fromMalaysia,which has developed andimplementedasuccessfulurbanforestryMasterPlan.TheMas-terPlanthatisbeingproposedwillseeNairobi’scountydesignplanandalsonewarchitecturaldesigns,includetreesintotheir

planstomaketheresidentialandcommercialbuildingsgreener.SomeoftheissuesraisedbytheparticipantsandKFSofficials,otherforestryrepresentativesandNairobiCountygovernmentrepresentatives,werethelackofavailabilityofinformationonthe preferred species that would be planted to ensure theirsurvivalanddesignuniformity.ParticipantsalsowantedKFStoconsultthecounty’sphysicalplanningmapandmapsofthesat-ellitetownsaroundthecountytoidentifythebestareaswheretreeplantingwouldbecarriedout.

During the forum, it was agreed that a consultantwouldbehiredforthetaskofcollectingandreviewingdatathatwillbeusedindraftingtheMasterPlan.DifferentstakeholderspromisedtocommittheirtimeandresourcestowardshelpingKFSindraftingthisimportantMasterPlan.

DevelopmentofNairobiCountyForestryMasterPlan


GENERAL NEWS2014KFSGolfDays

Samuel Wachira produced a fine round of golf toemerge the overall winner of the Chairman’s prize that wassponsoredbyKenyaForestServiceonSaturday26thApril,2014at theNakuruGolfClub.The tournamentwas termedoneofthemost difficult asmembers complained of a tough coursebutthisdidnotdeterMr.Wachirawhoplayingoffhandicap12,postedatotalof39stablefordpoints,posting19pointsonthe1stnineand20pointsonthe2ndninetoclaimtheoverallprize.Wachiracouldnothidehisjoyafterwinningtheoverallaward.

The staffwinner’sprizewent toKFSChiefCorporateCommunicationsOfficerCharlesNgunjiriwhoposted28pointsandwasfollowedbythePrincipalKenyaForestryCollege,Prof.Donald Ogwenowho posted 21 stableford points. The lady’sprizewaswonbyWanguiKimaniwhoreturnedascoreof35points. Speakingonbehalf of theKFSDirector, Prof.OgwenosaidthathewaspleasedwiththepartnershipbetweenKFSandNakuruGolfClubasitisaclubthattheServiceholdsdearseeingasitusuallymarksthestartoftheannualKenyaForestServiceGolfSeries.Hewasalsoimpressedbytheamountoftreeplant-ingthatishappeningattheclubandaddedthathewaslookingforwardtoworkingwiththeclubinthefuture.“Treeplantingisnot just forenvironmental conservation,but it isalsoagreatcommercialopportunitythatmustbeexplored,”hesaid.

ElsewhereattheThikaSportsClub,BettyMutuapro-ducedastunningroundofgolftowintheoverallawardoftheKenyaForestServiceGolfDaytournamentplayedonSaturday24thMay2014.Playingoffhandicap24,Bettyposted20pointsinthe1stnineand24pointsinthe2ndnineforanimpressivescoreof44pointsinafieldgracedby184golfers.Bettycouldnothideherjoyofbeingtheoverallwinnerandattributedherimpressiveperformanceto lotsofpracticeandplayingwithagreatteamthatmotivatedhertoplaywell.

AntonyKabuchoplayingoffhandicap16wasthemen’swinnerscoring43points,21pointsinthe1stnineand22pointsinthesecondnine.Themen’srunnerupprizewenttoPatrickKingoriplayingoffhandicap1withatotalof41points.The3rdmen’sprizewent tohandicap26Dr. IsaackChiruguwho returnedascoreof40points. Theladiesprizewaswonbyhandicap36DorcasNjoguwhoscored20pointsonthe1stnineand22pointsinthe2ndnineforatotalof42points.TheSeniorDeputySecretaryNatu-ralResources,MinistryofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalRe-sourcesMr.OnesmusF.KibunawontheSponsorsprizewith30points20inthe1stnineand10inthe2ndninewhileKFS’ChiefCommunicationOfficerCharlesNgunjiriwhoisalsothecaptainoftheclubwastherunnerupwith28points.

In the Director’s speech read on his behalf by theSeniorDeputySecretaryNaturalResourcesat theMinistryofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResourcesattheprizegivingceremony,heemphasizedthegovernment’seffortsofincreas-ingthetreecoverto10%bytheyear2030asstipulatedintheconstitution.HepraisedtheThikaSportsClubforitseffortsinplantingmoretreesandthoseofdifferentspecies.AlsopresentwastheKFSDeputyDirectorForestExtensionServices,Mr.Pat-rickKariukiandHeadofCorporateCommunications,Ms.AnneKaari.

MinistryofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResourcesSeniorDirectorofAdministrationAmb.JuliusK.KandiereceivestheHiddenHoleawardfromtheNakuruGolfClubChairmanMr.MichaelKandieattheNakuruGolfClub.

KFSDeputyDirectorForestExtensionServicesMr.PatrickKariukipresentstheLady'sPrizetoDorcasNjoguattheThikaGolfClub.


Pastattemptsto increaseforestcoverandaddresstheproblemofdeforestationand forestdegradation in thecoun-tryhavenotbeenverysuccessful,underminedbyamongoth-erstheincreasingdemandforlandforagriculture,settlementandotherdevelopments,highenergydemandandinadequatefunding to support investments in the forestry sector. Unre-sponsivepolicyandpoorgovernanceintheforestrysectorhaveofteninthepastcompoundedtheseproblems.

REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation andforestDegradation),andtheroleofconservation,sustainablemanagement of forests and enhancement of forest carbonstocks, presents a great opportunity to reverse the negativetrendbyprovidinginnovativeapproaches,includingincentivesthatsupportimplementationofacomprehensivestrategythateffectivelysupportssustainablemanagementandconservationofexistingforestedareasandat thesametimereduceforestsectorcarbonemissions.REDD+isaclimatechangemitigationprocesswhichseekstoprovidecompensationtogovernments,communities, companies or individuals in developing tropicalcountriesforactionstakentoreduceGHGemissionsfromtheforestsector.REDD+seekstocreatevalueforthecarbonstoredinforests.

REDD+ implementationwill involve thedesignandap-plicationofappropriatelandandforestmanagementpractices,including enhanced forest sector governance, to reduce de-forestationandforestdegradationandtosupportconservationandsustainablemanagementofavailableforestresources.TheForest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), the UN-REDD pro-grammesandotherbilateralsupportedprogrammeshavebeeninstrumental in providing technical and financial support for

theseefforts.TheMinistryofEnvironment,WaterandNaturalResources,throughKenyaForestService,coordinatestheRead-inessprocessinthecountry.Anumberofactivitiesarecurrentlygoingon in thecountry to supportefforts todesign,developandapplystrategiesandprogramstoreduceemissionsanden-hancecarbonsinkcapacitiesofforestecosystems.

Inaddition,significantpolicy,legislativeandinstitution-alchangeshaveoccurredoverthelastfewyearsinKenyathatcomplementtheREDD+effortsinthecountry.TheConstitution,NationalDevelopment Plan (Vision 2030), TheArid and SemiArid Lands (ASALs) Policy, theNational Land, Energy, Agricul-turePolicies,andtheNationalClimateChangeResponseStrat-egyandActionPlan,identifyforestryasoneofthekeysectorsfor delivering national sustainable development and climatechangegoals.TheEnvironmentandForestPoliciesandsupport-inglegislationarealsounderreviewtoalignthemwiththeCon-stitutionandtoembraceemergingissueslikeclimatechange,participatorymanagementandREDD.

Kenya Forest Service has also undergone significanttransformation, in linewith the Forest Act 2005, to embracea modern, decentralized and transparent approach to forestmanagement that ensures full participation of stakeholders.TheWorldBank,UNDPandtheFinnishGovernmenthavesig-nificantly supported forestry conservation efforts in the drylands,awarethattheseareasholdmostofthecountry’sforestresources,andequallyholdthegreatestpotentialforreducingcarbon emissions and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.TheREDD+readinessprocessshouldreinforcetheseactivitiesandfuturesectorengagements.

Redd+ImplementationinKenyaPROJECTNEWS

ConstructionofCountyOfficesbyMMMBMitiMingiMaishaBora(MMMB)isaprogrammeundertheKen-yaForestServicethatisfundedbytheGovernmentofFinland,whosemainaimistosupporttheforestsectorinthecountry.OneofitsmainagendasistobuildandequipofficesforKFS. In its 2013-2014workplan, theProject intends tobuild KFScountyofficesmainlytargetingtheHeadofConservanciesof-fices.TheconservanciesthathavebeentargetedaretheHeadofConservancy’sofficeinIsioloCounty,HeadofConservancy’sofficeinKisumuCountyandtheKwaleCountyoffice.Thisistobedonethroughthestructures thatalreadyexistatKFS.Theconstructionofthecountyofficesisexpectedtobecompletedinaspanof6months.TheProjectwillalsofullyequiptheofficeswithmodernequipment.PreviouslyconstructedofficesincludetheHeadofConservancyNorthRiftoffice inUasinGishuCounty,HeadofConservancyNorthEasternofficeinGarissaCountyandtheHeadofConserv-ancyNairobiCountyOfficewhicharealreadycomplete.TheProjectManagerofMMMBMrs.ZipporahToroitichhasex-

pressedherdelightattheProject’ssupportofKFS.Shesaidthattheprojectintendstobuildultramodernfacilitiesthatwilllastforyearstocome.Shealsoencouragedthecontractorstogivetheirbestandaddapersonaltouchtothefacilities.TheFinnishGovernmentisalsopleasedwiththeProjectandhaspledgedtobuildevenmoreofficesfortheorganizationinfuture.

Fromleft:KwaleEcosystemConservatorMs.NafasiMfahayaandMMMBProjectManagerZipporahToroitichhandoverdrawingsforthenewcountyofficestothecontractorwhowillconstructtheoffices.


KFSthroughtheSCBFFEprojectplayedhosttoadele-gationfromEthiopiawhowereinthecountrytolearnaboutwhattheserviceisdoingtohelpfarmersimprovetheirliveli-hoodsthroughtheFarmerFieldSchools.Thedelegationrep-resentedtheSustainableNaturalResourceManagementPro-jectintheRiftValleyAreaofOromiaRegioninEthiopia.ThisisaJICAfundedprojectwhichisaimedatimprovingnaturalresourcesinthetargetareausingtheFFSapproach.

TheKFSSDDFieldOperations,Mr.EmilioMugogavethedelegationabriefoverviewofwhatKFSisdoingtocon-serve and sustainably manage forest resources. He notedthatin2010,anewconstitutionwaspromulgatedandanewsystemofgovernanceemerged;thatofthenationalgovern-ment and the county government. Therefore the KFS Actsand Policies are currently being aligned to fit into the newconstitutionaldispensation.Mr.Mugoalsoemphasizedthatpoliciesmustrespondtoregional,nationalandinternationalagreements.

KFS’ SCBFFE Project Manager Ms. Jane Ndeti whilespeakingduringthevisit totheservice’sheadquarters,saidthat Farmer Field Schools came up as a result of the needtoimproverural livelihoodsthroughpromotionoffarmandtrustlands,treeplantingandtreebasedenterprise.Through

theFFSfamersareabletoimprovetheirlivelihoodsbystart-ingincomegeneratingactivities.

TheEthiopiandelegationhadachancetovisitsuccess-fulFFSprojectssuchasUfunguoFFSinMiambani(Kitui),Nee-maFFSinMbeere(Embu)andtheyalsovisitedagraduatedFarmForestryFarmer,Mr.JacobNjiru’sfarminEmbuCounty.

EthiopianDelegationPaysaVisittoSCBFFEProjectsPROJECTNEWS

The Forest Act 2005 section 35requires that every state forest, localauthority forest and provisional forestbemanaged in accordancewithaman-agementplan.Theactalsorequiresthatinpreparingandadoptingsuchmanage-mentplans, theKenyaForestServiceorthelocalauthorityshallconsultwiththelocal forest committee.Thepurposesofthese participatory forest managementplans are to involve all stake holders in

themanagement of forest resources asrequiredby theForestAct2005section46which outlines community participa-tioninforestmanagement.

GZDSP (Green Zones Develop-ment Support Project) has supportedthe preparation of 24 Participatory For-estManagement Plans and agreementsfor 24 forest stationswithin theprojectareasinceitsinception.Thepreparationof these management plans involvedtheparticipationofall stakeholdersandmoreso theCommunityForestAssocia-tions.AftertheapprovalofthePFMP,themanagement agreements are negotiat-edandenteredbetweentheDirectorofForest and the Community ForestAsso-ciation. Thesemanagement agreementsspellouttherolesandresponsibilitiesoftheparties involved inthemanagementandconservationoftheforest.TheyalsoconferupontheCommunityForestAsso-ciationsomeforestuserrights.

TheGZSDPsupported the launchof15managementplansand signingof

management agreement as from 14thApril 2014 to 24th April 2014. The oc-casionswere presided over by the Sen-ior Deputy Director-Field OperationsMr. Emilio Mugo, Senior Deputy Direc-tor-Corporate Services Ms. Monica Kal-enda, Deputy Director-Forest ExtensionServicesMr. Patrick Kariuki and DeputyDirector–Forest Conservation and Man-agementMr. Esau Omollo on behalf ofthe Director. The colorful ceremonieswereconductedattherespectiveForestStations.

Intheirspeeches,theChiefGuestsencouragedtheCFAmemberstocontin-ue cooperatingandpartneringwithKFSin conserving and protecting forests forthebenefitofall.Theoccasionswerealsogracedbydonorrepresentatives,CountyGovernment representatives, ProvincialAdministration and Chairpersons of theCommunity Forest Associations as wellas hundreds of forest adjacent commu-nities.

GZDSPStrengthensCommunityParticipationinForestManagement

KFSSeniorDeputyDirector;FieldOperationsMr.EmilioMugogiftsSNRMProjectTeamLeaderMr.ShinjiOgawaduringavisittotheKFSHeadquartersoffices,astheSCBFFEProjectManagerJaneNdetiandtheAssistantDirec-tor;BiomassEnergyJimOkutolookon.

KFSDeputyDirector;ForestConservationandManagementEsauOmollohandingoveracopyoftheagreementtotheGZDSPProjectManagerJeromeMwanzia.


COMMENTARY

Watershedisaregiondelineatedwithawelldefinedtop-ographicboundaryandwateroutlet.Itisageographicregionwithinwhich hydrological conditions are such thatwater be-comesconcentratedwithinaparticularlocation,forexampleariverorreservoirbywhichthewatershedisdrained.ThemajorwatershedswehaveinKenyaare:AberdaresEcosystem,MountKenyaEcosystem,MountElgonEcosystem,MauEcosystem,andCherangani Ecosystem.Watersheds sustain life, inmorewaysthanone.AccordingtotheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,morethan$450billioninfoods,fiber,manufacturedgoodsandtourismdependonclean,healthywatersheds.

Healthy watershed provides many of us with drinkingwater, recreational opportunities and aesthetic beauty. How-ever,thereareproblemsfacingwatershedsallovertheworld.Forinstance,someoftheproblemsweexperiencearedevelop-mentofindustries,interruptionofwaterflow,developmentofurbancenters,andinvasionofalienspeciesjusttonameafew.ItisforthisreasonthattheInternationalSeminaronWatershed

ManagementwasheldinArizona,USAfrom23rdMarchto12thApril,2014toexploreinnovativeapproachestobetterpracticesinwatershedmanagement.Basically,WatershedManagementisthepracticeofsystematicandcomprehensiveprotectionofthequalityandquantityofthewaterresourceswithinadrain-agebasin.

TheInternationalWatershedManagementSeminarisanannualeventthatisorganizedbytheUSForestService:Depart-mentofAgriculture,withaviewtopromoteSustainableForestManagementandBiodiversityConservation.Whileatthesem-inar,itcameoutevidentlythatpartnershipandalliances,gov-ernmentsupport,involvementoflocalcommunities,identifica-tionoftechniquesandskillsofsolvingproblemsanddevelopingof strategiesandactionplansaresomeof theapproaches tomanagewatersheds.Theattendeesfrom21countriesallovertheworldwhoattendedthisseminarundertookfieldvisitstoPhoenix,Safford,alongColoradoRiver,RooseveltDamandFlag-staffallwithinArizona.

Astheseminarcametoclosure,theeffectsofnotpro-tectingwatershedswereworrisomeandcalledforbetterpro-tectionandprofessionalmanagementofwatersheds,notonlybytheforestofficersbutalsobythesupportofotherprofes-sionals such as hydrologists, soil scientists, local inhabitants,and urban inhabitants for better management. There is alsoneedtosupportthosewholiveupstreamsothattheydonotconductactivitieswhichcouldinterferewiththeflowofwater.

The writer is the Commandant KFS: Enforcement and Compliance Division (ENCOM)

Forests are some of the most important natural resourc-es that have been gifted to mankind for their sustained existence on earth. Without question, they provide us with huge amounts of tangible and intangible benefits, without which indeed, all life, less to say human life, would fall under risk of extinction. It is therefore vital for us to realize the importance of forest cover,

to conserve them, and ultimately to work towards a sustainable way to maintain our forests and meet our needs at the same time.

The Bible teaches us that God is not only redeeming his people, but He is also restoring the whole of creation (Rom. 8:18-23). Just as we show our love for the Savior by reaching out to the lost, we believe that we also show our love for the Creator by caring for his creation. Because clean air, pure wa-ter, and adequate resources are crucial to public health and civic order, the government has an obligation to protect its citizens from the effects of environmental degradation. This involves the urgent need to relieve human suffering caused by bad environ-mental practices. Because natural systems are extremely com-plex, human actions can have unexpected side effects. We must therefore approach our stewardship of creation with humility and caution.

Why then do we allow our actions to ruin the future for

byCol.(Rtd.)J.NKIMANIWatershedManagement

byMonicahRutoWhoseResponsibilityIsIt?

Col.(Rtd.)J.NKimani;Commandant-ENCOM(secondfromright)atawork-shoponWatershedManagementintheU.S


....posterity when the command was so clear? Do we stop to look at our actions when we clear that forest? When we throw plastics all over? When we cultivate river banks? When we build our houses along the river’s course?

As we embrace our responsibility to care for God’s earth, we reaffirm the important truth that the worship of the Creator will be evident through nurturing of His creation. God entrusted the care of his earth and its species upon our first parents. That responsibility has passed down to our hands. We affirm that God-given dominion is a sacred responsibility to steward the earth and not a license to abuse the creation of which we are a part. We are not the owners of creation, but simply its stewards, summoned by God to “watch over and care for it” (Gen. 2:15). This implies the principle of sustainability: our uses of the earth

must be designed to conserve and renew the earth rather than to deplete or destroy it.

Planting God’s Trees“In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the

tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” We are all responsible for maintaining the environment so let’s go back to the original plan and plant tress where birds can nest and bring forth their nestlings and balance the ecosystem. In one command, the Bi-ble gives an excellent ecological principle: “If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either on a tree or on the ground and the mother was sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with her young.”

NoLongerALiquorSlaveWheneveroneofusbecomesavictimofalcoholanddrugad-diction,heor shenotonlybecomesa liability tohimself butalsotohisfamilyandtheentireorganization.Accordingtothe‘onlinefreedictionary’,drugabuseisdefinedastheself-admin-istrationofdrugswithoutanymedicalreason.Whetherit isacigarette,alcohol,‘bhang’orsniffingofglue,itbeginsasalei-sureescapadeonlytoenslaveitsunsuspectingvictim.Addictionsneaksinlikeaghostinthenightandthebruntbaredishuge:spousal divorce, loss of friends, career, finances and life. Thechallengeis:howdowesavethevictimsofdrugabuse?Acrav-inginmostcasesdoesn’tgoawayovernightbutonlywhenbat-tledconsistentlyovertimeuntilfullrehabilitationisachieved.Manypeoplehavetriedquittingalcoholbuttheyoftenstumble,whileothershavehadnocouragetotryquittingitbutfor*Pe-ter,astoryistold.*PeterisarangerattachedtooneoftheoutpostsofKFS.Likeanyotherbottlelover,hewasinitiatedintodrugsandalcoholthroughpeerinfluencemorethan10yearsagoasayoungNa-tional Youth Service recruit before joining the former ForestDepartment.Hisfirstdeploymentsawhimjointhedestructive‘membersclub’.Histhirstfordrugsgrewsystematicallybutun-controllablyanddependingonhispocket,hewouldeitherpar-takeofwine,beerorillicitbrews(chang’aa)apartfromsmokingcigarettesandbhang.Thisaffectedhiscommitmenttodutyandstrainedhisrelationshipwithhissupervisors.Hehadgraduat-edfromamoderateconsumertoanabuserofalcoholandwasnowwhollydependentonit.Thefirstsiphadledtoanotherandanotherandconsequentlytoeveryother.Tosavehimfrompeerinfluence,hewastransferredtoanotherstationwhereheonlymanagedtoquitsmokingcigarettesandbhangbutdegeneratedfurtherintoalcoholism.Thiswouldthenspillovertohisyoungfamily.*Peteradmitstohaveabdicatedhisfatherlyandhusbandlyresponsibilitiesashehadbecomea

liquorslave.Hischildrenwereyearningforaresponsiblefatherbuthewasnot there for them.Hewasagain transferreddis-honorablytoanotherstationtosaveface.Hewaslikeaball;ananalogyofaproblembeingpassedfromoneStationtoanotherwithnooneabletostoptheballfromrolling.Inhisfile,hehadbythenreceivednumerouswarninglettersofimminentdismissal. Leftaloneandmiserablebyhiswifeandfriends,hebowedtopressureanddecidedtoquitalcoholbutthiswouldonlylastfortwoweeksbeforeaheavyrelapse.Hewouldsoonbetransferredtoanotherstationwherehehadtocontendwithbeing incoldpolicecells fordrunkenanddisor-derlybehavior.Onedaywhilehewasonduty,hewasinvolvedinagrislyaccidentwhileundertheinfluenceofdrugsandwasleftfordeadatthehospital.Eveninsuchcriticalcondition,hisfriendswouldstillsneakinliquorforhiminashowofcomrade-ship.Theycompletelyignoredthefactthathewasconvalescingfromtheinjuriesandthatanymorealcoholwouldonlyhastenhimtothegrave.Givenhisgraveboundlifeandthepatheticstateofhisyoungfamily,heheardthebeseechingvoiceofhiswifeandthedoctor.Thiswouldbehisturningpointashemadethedifficultdecisiontoquitalcohol.Fornow,heistryingtokeepupwiththeJone-ses.“Sincethen,lifehasbeenbetter.Wehavemanagedtodointhreeyearswhatwecouldn’tdoin10”,hiswifeconfessedinourinterviewwithher.Thisboldstepsurprisedmanywhosharedinthememoryof*Peter’sdrunkenpast.Myclarioncalltothosewhoarestillenslavedinalcoholismistoconfronttheirfears.Seekhelpfromspecialistsandreformedcolleagues.Ifyoustumble,getup,dustoffyourcoatandkeepwalkingtowardsyoursobriety.Itistimewestandupandcam-paign against alcoholism that has continued to corrode ourrank.{*nothisrealname}

SgtTitoOkello

23

COMMENTARY

STATION PROFILEShamanekForestStation

Located about 10km from the world famous Thompson Falls in Nyahururu Laikipia County, Shamanek Forest covers ap-proximately 1,840.5 ha. The forest combines both indigenous and plantation forest. Plantation forest mainly consists of forest plantations of cyprus while the natural forest is made up of Olea Africana (Wild Olive), Juniperus procera (East African Cedar), Podocarpus, and Prunus Africana (Red Stinkwood) tree species. Sandalwood is also found in the forest valleys.

Due to its location on the lee way side of Mt. Kenya, the forest is in a dry area with average rainfall of about 900 mm per annum with long rains falling between March and May and short rains between October and November. The coldest months are in July and August.

Shamanek forest is part of the larger Marmanet forest that is also made up of the North and South Marmanet forests in the county. It was previously part of the Ewaso Narok block of the South Marmanet forest. The forest acts as one of the major sources of water from Lake Bogoria in Baringo County, and is also home to streams and springs that feed Matharara and Igwamiti rivers.

The forest is managed by a forest manager who works with the Shamanek Community Forest Association in conserv-ing the forest. The community in and around the area helps KFS with pruning the Cyprus trees in the plantations in order to help produce high quality timber once harvested. The CFA is also in talks with KFS to put up bandas that can attract tourists to the forest as part of the ecotourism venture that KFS is promoting. KFS has also partnered with corporate partners towards reha-bilitating the forest. For instance in the year 2013, Royal Media Services and Cooper Kenya Limited helped KFS in planting trees in the forest.

The forest has the potential of being a world famous eco-tourism site with its numerous waterfalls, nature trails, deep valleys and high grounds for avid hikers and nature lovers. It is home to elephants, baboons, Columbus monkeys, wild pigs, an-telopes, hares, hyrax and hyenas and is a potential site for bird watching due to its high number of bird species. The forest has

vantage viewpoints from where one can view the Great Rift Val-ley and it provides ideal high altitude athletic training grounds due to its high elevation.

With its proximity to the Aberdare Ranges, Thompson Falls and Nyahururu town, Shamanek Forest is strategically locat-ed to tap into the high number of local and international tourists and bring in more income to the people in that area.

AsectionofShamanekForestStation

IgwamitiWaterfallsinShamanekForest


Col. (Rtd) J.N. Kimani was on 29th January, 2014 awarded a certificate by the Green Hand Organization, in honor of his ex-emplary work in environmental conservation.

While accepting the award at his office at the KFS Head-quarters, he stated that he was not receiving the award just for himself as it was not his efforts alone, but also on behalf of the of the forest managers, forest rangers and all the men and women who are working tirelessly towards forest conservation.

Green Hand Organization founder Mr. Hilary Kiprop Rutto

said that the organization made the decision to award the Com-mandant because of the significant role he has played so far in protecting and conserving the environment, particularly in the Mau and Cherangany areas, amongst others.

The Commandant has continuously rallied his forces to ensure that our forests are well protected and without the KFS rangers, this process would have been impossible. Through his efforts together with that of the entire KFS, the forest cover has been reversed from the staggering 1.9 percent to now well over 6.9 percent.

Green Hand Organization (GHO) is a duly registered body under the Societies Act of Kenya, whose main objective is to pro-tect and conserve the environment. GHO was registered in 2009 and has been carrying out various activities towards protecting and conserving the environment. GHO has participated in vari-ous tree planting exercises organized by KFS in the Mau, Macha-kos and Karura areas just to name a few.

HIV/AIDSinKenya

KFSCommandantAwardedSTAFF NEWS

According to UNAIDS; HIV/AIDS prevalence in Kenya remainshighandiscategorizedasgeneralized–meaningthatitaffectsallsectorsofthepopulation.HIV/AIDScontinuestoerodemuchof development gains, undermining the economy and desta-bilizingsocieties.Thisismainlysobecauseitaffectspeopleintheirprimeyearsoflife,thehardesthitbeingbetweentheageof15-49years.

TheKenyaForestServiceworkforceisdirectly/indirectlyaffect-ed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Thework environment in theforestmanagementsectorfacilitatestheincreasedvulnerabil-ity among the employees, including forest rangerswhoworkfor longhoursawayfromhomeandfamily.KFSstrategicplan2009/10-2013/14identifiedHIV/AIDSasoneofthethreatsthatwillaffecttheachievementof itsoverallgoals. InanefforttomanageHIV/AIDS,theHRandAdministrationDivision,Employ-eeWelfareandBenefitsSectionformulatedtheHIV/AIDSpolicytoactsasaguideonhowtomanagethepandemic.

ThepolicyhasenabledtheServicetopartnerwithotherstake-holderstoorganizeregularsensitizationtalks,VoluntaryCoun-selingandTesting,distributionofinformationkitsandcondomsamongotheractivities.TheServicecanboastofitsnon-discrim-inatorymedicalcoverthatcaterstoallregardlessoftheirHIVstatus. KFS recentlyhosted representatives from theMinistry

ofHealth,courtesyoftheHRWelfareandBenefitsOffice,whocarriedout a sensitization talkwhere someof the topicsdis-cussedwerestigmaanddiscrimination in theworkplace,em-ployeerightswithregardstotheirHIVstatus,dealingwithHIV/AIDSamongmarriedcouples,importanceofknowingone’sHIVstatus,bestpreventionmeasures,andsoon.

Mr.PatrickTialal,HROfficerinChargeofWelfareandBenefitsstatedthatplansareunderwaytosetupanAidsControlUnit.TheACUshallgenerateinformationonemployeewelfareandservice delivery throughmonitoring, evaluation and researchforplanning,decision-making,resourceallocationandmanag-ingresponsetoHIV/AIDS.

Col.(Rtd.)JohnKimani

ACounselorfromtheMinistryofHealthMr.SamuelNyakundiaddress-ingKFSstaffmembersduringtheHIV/AIDSsensitizationworkshoprecently

25

The field at Kenya Forest Service Headquarters along Kiambu road is the main ground for the KFS football and volleyball teams and it is where they hold their respective training sessions on a weekly basis from 3p.m in the evening. The football team uses the pitch to hold most of their home league matches which are usually played over the weekends.

Apart from the two main teams, the pitch also hosts the Pepe-ta Football Academy which trains young aspiring footballers on Sat-urday mornings, Sunday afternoons and during the holidays. Thus whenever the KFS football team has a match on the said days, their matches are scheduled so as to not coincide with the children’s prac-tice sessions.

The grounds are situated in a very serene environment, sur-rounded by trees and clean fresh air and so they are very conducive for holding various activities such as corporate events, weddings and others at a fee.

ForesterwithHandsofGold

TheKFSHQGroundsSTAFF NEWS

Sitting inhishumbleoffice inKerichoForest Station,onecannothelpbutfeelprivilegedtobesittingandtalkingtoamanwhohasreceivedpraisefromdifferentquartersandearnedhimselfareputationastheforester who plants trees that never die.Butwithallthisadmiration,hepossessesahumblenaturethatdoesnotgounnoticed.HisnameisVictorKabutbei. VictorwasborninKiplombeLocation,EsageriDivision,KoibatekDistrict,BaringoCountyinafamilyofsevenchildren.HewenttoKiplombePrimarySchoolfrom1980-1987.HethenjoinedBartolomoSecondarySchoolinBaringoCountyin1988andcompletedin1991.In1993,hejoinedtheKenyaForestryCollegeinLondianiandcompletedin1995. In1996,hewaspostedtoChemsusuForestStationinKoibatekBaringoCountyasanAssistantForester.HewaslatertransferredtoChemorgokForestStationin2001astheForesterinCharge.In2004,hewaspostedtoBaragoiForestStationinSamburuCountywherehestayedforfourmonthsbeforebeingtransferredtoLorokiDivisionin2005.In2006hewentbackto

schoolanddidaoneyearDiplomainforestry.In2007hewaspostedtoKibweziForestStation,MakueniCounty. In2008hewaslatertobetransferredtoKerichoFor-estStationdue to thepostelectionviolence thathad rockedthecountryatthetime.WhenhetookchargeatKerichoForestStation,therewasnooperationgoingon.Hedidthefirstclearfell inOctober2011andplanted,thiswascompleted in2012FebruaryandplantednewtreesinMarchofthesameyear.Atotalof40hawereplanted,a73haplantationwasestablishedin2013andin2014,140hahavebeencompleted. Oneof themethods that heuses tomake sure thathistreesgrowwellissupervision.Heinsistsonsupervisingtheseedlingssothattheyareproperlyplantedandalwaysmakessuretoplantthetreesassoonaspossibleafterfelling,beforetheweedsdevelop.Healsoorganizespatrolsduringtheweek-endstomakesuretheforestisintact. One of themain challenges that he faces is that oftransportationof seedlings to the locationofplantingandhehastodependonotherorganizationswithwhichhehasagoodrapport,toassisthim.Healsofacesthechallengeofshortageofforestrangersaswellasagingofrangers.Elephantsarealsoabigproblemastheydebarkthetrees,steponandevenuproottheyoungseedlings.Anavidvolleyballer,Victorplaysvolleyballduringhisfreetime,“myageiscatchingupwithmeandsoIcannotplayasmuchasIwouldwishto”,helamentswhilelaughing.Whenheisnotpatrollingtheforestsovertheweekends,hecatchesuponfoot-ballmatches,agamehealsoloves.

TheKFSgroundswhichareusedforvariouseventsandactivities.

KerichoForestStationForesterMr.VictorKabutbeiatoneofhisnurseries.

26

KFSTeamExcelsatFete

Everyyear,corporateteamsheadtoMaraniForestinMt.Kenyatotakepartinteam-buildingcompetitionsattheKenyaSchoolofAdventureandLeadership(KESAL).TheKenyaForestService(KFS)hasbeenparticipatingattheseeventsforthelastthreeyearsandthisyearwasnoexception.AcontingentofKFSrangersparticipatedinthisyear’scompetitionsemergingsecondbestinthebushracecategory.Theteamscomprisedofgroupsoffiveindividualsfromeachorganizationandwererequiredtofinisha10kmrace,throughvariousobstaclesandchallengesintheshortesttimepossibleandmoreimportantlyasateam.

TheKFSteamtooktotheracewithastrategythatinvolvedencouragingoneanotherandrunningatthesamepacefromstarttofinish.TheKFSteamcomprisedofPhilipNdiema,HoseaRotich,ZebedeeKiprono,WilsonMwangiandEliudKosgei,allfromtheEnforcementandComplianceDivision(ENCOM).Theywereawardedatrophyandcertificates.

STAFF NEWS


CorruptioninKenya

Corruption can refer to many different types of illegal acts, though they will usually all involve a person abusing their authority for their own benefit, or for the benefit of family and friends. This can either be government officials using pub-lic money for their own personal use, or corporate executives improperly awarding contracts or taking other decisions in ex-change for bribes. By the year 2030, it’s envisaged that Kenya will have “transparent, accountable, ethical and results-oriented government institutions”.

The Kenya Forest Service has adopted the KFS Anti-Cor-ruption Policy which will ensure zero tolerance to corruption through developing, implementing and institutionalizing nec-essary policies, legal and institutional frameworks. To ensure a corruption free institution, KFS works within the provisions of Acts of Parliament and other instruments designed to prevent corruption and ensure effective service delivery.

KFS conducts corruption risk assessments from time to time to enable identify corruption loopholes, and consequently put in place prevention measures. This means that all depart-ments are expected to identify the risk areas and inform the in-tegrity committee.

The Service has made tremendous strides in preventing corruption by ensuring corruption loopholes are sealed shut. Some of the efforts geared towards sealing these loopholes in-clude but are not limited to; setting up an integrity committee at the headquarters and conservancy integrity committee in con-servancies, pre-employment screening, awareness creation and training on corruption, whistle blowing and protection of whistle blowers and disciplinary measures arising from acts of fraud and corruption.

Corruption is a vice that we must all hold hands together to fight against.

TheTeamleaderfortheKFSteamintheBushRacecategoryInsp.PhilipNdiemareceivesthecertificatefor2ndBestCorporateTeamatKESAL.

27

FEATURE STORY


Kipini Conservancy is a Provisional Forest formerlyknownasNairobiRanchand is found largely inLamuCountywhileasmallsectionislocatedinTanaRiverCounty.ItbordersWituForestReserveandTanaRiver/WituSettlementSchemetotheWest,Mombasa-LamuroadtotheNorth,LakeKenyat-taSettlementSchemetotheEasti.e.theMpeketoniareaandtheIndianOceantotheSouth.TheProvisionalForestcoversanareameasuringapproximately22,016.4hectares. TheProvisionalForestwasgazettedvidelegalnoticeno.214ofthe15th2010pursuanttosection26(1)oftheForestAct2005,tobemanagedbyTheKenyaForestService.Itwasalsogazettedasanenvironmentallysignificantareavidelegalnoticeno.208of8thNovember,2013.Kipini is simplybeautiful, as it offers auniquemixofwilder-nessandatasteofthecoast,withplentytoseeandexperienceandalsobeinginKenya,acountryendowedwithincrediblydi-verselandscapesanduniquegeographicalfeatures,allteemingwithwildlifeandhometomorethan50culturalcommunities,it is indeeda luxury tobeexperiencedbyoneandall.Kipiniisuniquelypositionedbetweenmarine,forest,woodlandandgrasslandecosystems. Theforesthasa20kilometerbeachlinestretchcon-sidered the only elephant corridor found in the East AfricanCoastalEcosystem.Besidesthewhitesandybeaches,thereareancientsanddunesaswell as seasonal andpermanentwetlands and lakesmostofwhichareundisturbedand rich inplantdiversity.SituatedattheNorthernendoftheEasternArcMountainsandCoastalForestsbiodiversityhotspot, thearea isembedded ina zoneof internationally recognized importanceandarichassemblyofgloballythreatenedplantsandanimals.TheConservancyisan importanthabitat forrearandendangeredplantsandan-imalswhose co-existence createshigh aesthetic value to theecosystem. Theareaisconsideredanimportantgamemigratorycorridor, a completeecosystem rich inbiodiversitywithwet-lands,swamps,riversandlakes.Asonetakesadrivearoundtheconservancy,theygettoseea variety of animal as well as tree species among them theMpeketo tree after which the nearby town of Mpeketoni is

named.ThereisalsoalargenumberofDoumPalmtrees,whichareafavoriteamongthelocalsastheyprovideapalmwineex-tractedfromthejuiceofitsyoungfruitandstems,apartfromtheuseofitsfruitsasfood.However,therearesomechallengesthathinderconservationefforts in the conservancy including extensive encroachmentonforestlandbylocals,illegallogging,poaching,charcoaling,wildfires,agriculturallandspeculationandovergrazingbyno-madicpastoralists. Theecosystem isalsoapotential securityhotspotduetocompetitionforresources.The illegal loggingactivitieshave resulted in the lossofhun-dredsofthousandsofexoticandindigenoustrees.Thisactivityposesasignificantthreattothebiodiversityoftheareaaswellastheconservationactivities. Itisalsoestimatedfromfieldobservationthatatleasthalfoftheprovisionalforestisdegradedasaresultofencroach-ment.Indeedaswedrovethroughtheconservancy,wecameacrossmanyhomesteadsbelongingtopeoplewhohadsettledintheforest,someofwhomhavebeenthereformanyyears,andtheyremainadamantaboutlivingthereclaimingthatitistheonlyhometheyknowandtheyhavenowhereelsetogo.The importance and associated socio-economic value of theecosystemnecessitatesheavyinvestmentandsupportincon-servationactivities inordertorestoretheecological integrityoftheecosystem.

KipiniConservancy

KFSForestRangersonpatrolatthebeachontheedgeofKipiniConservancy.


FROM THE FILES

HUMOUR&LEISURE


JokesEveryday,thousandsofinnocentplantsarekilledbyvegetarians.Helpstoptheviolence!!!. QuotesThebesttimetoplantatreewas20yearsago.Thenextbesttimeistoday.~Chineseproverb~

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Across1.Organismsandthephysicalfactorsthatmakeuptheirenvironment.3. Typeofoven thatproduces temperature that canbeused in the dryingofwoodforfuel.4.LargestgazettedurbanforestinNairobiCounty.5.Comes fromremovingwaterandothervolatileconstituents from animalsorplantsandisusedinproductionofheat.8.General term for forest cropsandstandscontaining treesof com mercialsizeandqualitysuitableforsawingintolumber.9.Establishmentofaforeststandoftreesinanareawheretherewere noforests.10.Forestscharacterizedbyhighrainfall,withannualrainfallbetween 250-450cm.11.Acommonunitof landmeasureequal to43,560square feetor 1/640squaremiles.13.Atooltomeasurethediameterofatree.14.Selectiveremovalofpartsofaplantsuchasbranchesbudsorroots.15.Branchesandotherwoodmaterialsleftonsiteafterlogging.20.Tomarkatree,usuallybypaintingorcutting

Down2.Theartandscienceofgrowingforesttrees.6.Outermostlayerofstemsandrootsofwoodyplants.7.Degreeofvariationoflife.12.Upper layerorhabitat zone formedbymature treecrownsandincludingotherbiologicalorganismsinforests.15.Adeadtreethatisstillstanding.16.Aclusterofleaves.17.Decay.18.Boundarybetweentwoecologicalcommunities.22.Trunkofatree.

FactsandFiguresDIDYOUKNOW? Assumingthatitlivesforatleast50years,atreeexhales2,721.6Kilogramsofoxygeninits lifetime,orabout54.4Kilogramsperyear. Knockingonwoodforgoodluckoriginatedfromprimitivetreeworshipwhenrappingon treeswasbelievedtosummonprotectivespiritsinthetrees.

Cartoon

Your Tree is your Wealth

CrotonMegalocarpus

Croton isanextensiveflowering tree in theEuphorbiaceaefamily. It is fastgrowing inhighpotentialareasandcangrowup to35mhigh.Ittakes20-25yearstomatureandmayoccurinmixedfarm-ingsystems,woodlotsandboundaries.Thegenericname‘Croton’isbasedontheGreekwordfor‘tick’,becauseoftheappearanceoftheseed.CrotonmegalocarpusispopularlyknownasMukinduriinKikuyu.IthasrecentlybeenillustratedinKenyathatCrotonnutsareamoreeco-nomicalsourceofbiofuel.Crotontreesgrowwildandyieldabout0.35litersofoilperkiloofnuts.Welldriednutsareusedwithcharcoalincook-ingstovesandasfirewood.Theseedsarealsousedasfodderwhenincor-poratedintopoultryfeedduetotheirhighproteincontent(50%).Oth-erproductsoftheMukinduriincludetimber,medicineandapiculture. Thetreeactsasawindbreakerandalsoprovidesshadeduetoitsflatcrownandhorizontallayerofbrancheswhichmakeitusefulinprovidingshelter.Itsleaveshavehighlevelsofnitrogenandphospho-rous,resultinginsoilimprovement.Ithasconspicuousflowerswhichmakeitsuitableforornamentalpurposes.ManylandownersuseMikin-duritreesasaboundarymarkersinceitisnotbrowsedbylivestock.Mikinduri trees grow easily by direct sowing. The propagation canalsobefromseedlingsandwildlings.IncountiessuchasNyeri,Kiam-bu, Nandi and Kericho, flowering occurs between the months ofFebruary andMay,whereas in Bungoma county this takes place inSeptember,andbetweenOctoberand January inKakamegacounty.

Pollinationisdonebyinsectsandseedmaturitytakesabout5months.SeedscanbecollectedfromJulytoJunedependingontheregion.Seedextractionisatediousactivitythatinvolvescrackingofeachfruitwithahammerandsplittingitopenbyhandtoremovetheseeds.Seedsarecleanedbyhand,sortingtoremovedebrisandotherbrokenpieces.Seedsarethensun-driedbyspreadingathinlayerandturningregularlytoavoidoverheating.Theycanbestoredinanairtightcontainerinacooldryplaceforaperiodofupto2yearswithnosignificantlossofviability.

CommonNames:Mukinduri(Kikuyu,Meru)Muthulu(Kamba)Musine(Luhya)Masineitet(Nandi)Lameruguet(Samburu)MuhandeMkigaraChepkeleliet

CrotonMegalocarpus

FORESTRY POTENTIAL IN THE DRYLANDS · 2017-04-28 · technical officersto help mitigatethe...

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