Residents living around the Kapenguria Forest achieved a major milestone after the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officially launched the Kapenguria Participatory Forest Management Plan (2026–2031) and signed a Forest Management Agreement with the local Community Forest Association (CFA) at AIC Kapchila under Kapenguria Forest Station.
The event marked a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between the government agency and local communities in the conservation and sustainable management of forests within the Cherangany Hills ecosystem.
The agreement, signed between the Kenya Forest Service and the Kapkanyar Phase One Community Forest Association, is expected to deepen community participation in forest conservation while allowing residents bordering the forest to benefit legally and sustainably from forest resources.
According to the approved Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP), the agreement will guide the management of Kapenguria Forest Station for the next five years and form the basis for continued cooperation between KFS and the local CFA.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Clement Ng’oriareng, the Principal Senior Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests at KFS, emphasized the importance of partnerships between government institutions and local communities in achieving sustainable forest conservation.
Dr. Ng’oriareng, who plays a key role in driving Kenya’s ambitious 15-billion-tree campaign, said community-led conservation remains essential in mitigating climate change and restoring degraded ecosystems across the country.
He observed that forest conservation goes beyond protecting trees, noting that forests are vital sources of water, biodiversity, climate regulation, and livelihoods for surrounding communities.
The Participatory Forest Management Plan also recognizes the role played by local communities in conserving Kapenguria Forest over the years. The forest provides grazing grounds, herbal medicine, honey, firewood, water sources, and wild fruits to nearby residents.
West Pokot County Conservator Benjamin Kore said the agreement is important in ensuring that communities living near the forest continue enjoying the benefits they have depended on for generations.
“The agreement will enable the community who live bordering the forests to enjoy the benefits from the forest, like extracting medicinal herbs, grazing livestock, fetching water, extracting honey, and many other activities to earn a livelihood as they used to do since time in memorial,” said Kore.
Kore noted that participatory forest management remains one of the most effective ways of protecting forests while empowering local communities economically. He added that the Kapenguria Forest Station remains a critical ecological resource within the western block of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem.
Under his leadership, the West Pokot KFS office has continued spearheading conservation initiatives, including tree planting drives, agroforestry promotion, and campaigns against illegal charcoal burning in Pokot North, Central, and South.
The conservator further highlighted ongoing efforts to support the national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 through distribution of fruit tree seedlings and promotion of agroforestry to improve household incomes and nutrition.
Chairman of Kapkanyar Phase One Community Forest Association, Samwel Kariwo, welcomed the agreement, describing it as a historic step towards strengthening cooperation between communities and the Kenya Forest Service.
Kariwo said the partnership would not only enhance conservation efforts but also create a sense of ownership among local residents, ensuring the forest is protected for future generations.
The launch further aligns with ongoing efforts by the West Pokot KFS office and the county government to formalize the County Forest Programme aimed at strengthening devolved forestry functions, budgeting, and dryland restoration initiatives.
The newly launched management plan outlines a shared vision of ensuring conservation of Kapenguria Forest, sustainable utilization of its resources, and improvement of livelihoods for forest-adjacent communities through active participation of the CFA.
Environmental stakeholders attending the event described the agreement as a major step towards balancing conservation with community needs, especially at a time when climate change, deforestation, and land degradation continue to threaten critical ecosystems across the country.
By Parklea Ivor
