Functions Of The Kenya Forest Service (KFS)

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is a government agency under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry responsible for the management, conservation, and protection of forests and other natural resources in Kenya. The KFS was established under the Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA), 2016, and is mandated to sustainably manage forest resources in the country.

Through its 172 forest stations across the country, KFS manages over 1.7 million hectares of public forest land, including gazetted forests, game reserves, and national parks. The agency also works closely with communities, private entities, and other stakeholders to manage forest resources outside the gazetted areas.

KFS promotes sustainable forest management practices, including reforestation, afforestation, and agroforestry, while protecting the forests from logging, poaching, and charcoal burning to enhance the productivity and sustainability of forest ecosystems.

Functions of The Kenya Forest Service

Below are the functions of KFS as stipulated in the Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA), 2016.

It conserves, protects, and manages all public forests in Kenya.
It approves the provision of credit facilities and technical training for community-based forest industries, and the provision of incentives to persons for the sustainable utilization of wood and non-wood forest products.
It assists county governments to build capacity in forestry and forest management in the counties.
It collaborates with relevant persons in identifying research needs and applying research findings in relation to forests and forestry.
It considers and recommends the determination and alteration of boundaries of public forests.
It considers and recommends the establishment of public forests on unalienated public land or any other public land.
It develops, maintains, and regularly updates a geographic information system database of all forests in Kenya.
It establishes and implements benefit-sharing arrangements in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Conservation and Management Act.
It establishes forest conservancy areas for purposes of conservation and management.
It implements and enforces rules and regulations governing importation, exportation, and trade in forest produce.
In consultation with relevant stakeholders, it develops programs for tourism and for the recreational and ceremonial use of public forests.
It manages water catchment areas in relation to soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and other environmental services in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
It prepares a Forest Status Report for the Cabinet Secretary once every two years and a Resource Assessment Report for the Cabinet Secretary once every five years.
It prepares and implements management plans for all public forests and, where requested, assists in the preparation of management plans for community forests or private forests in consultation with the relevant owners.
It promotes forestry education and training.
Receives and considers applications for licenses or permits in relation to forest resources or management of forests.
Registers and maintains a register of all forest management plans prepared for public forests.