The State Department for Forestry has proposed an increase in its recurrent budget for the 2025/26 Financial Year to address a shortfall in Personal Emoluments at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI).
The proposed funds increase is also meant to fully cover personnel costs for staff at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
The Supplementary Estimates for the 2025/26 financial year was presented by Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Deborah Barasa to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, chaired by Mwala MP Eng. Vincent Musyoka, during a meeting held in Machakos.
Importantly, the proposed additional funding will facilitate the settlement of contractual obligations relating to personnel emoluments and gratuity for staff within the Ministry and its agencies.
In addition, the move is also expected to help address existing financial gaps that have affected the timely payment of staff-related obligations.
Dr. Barasa disclosed that part of the funds will also support the implementation of the Government’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme, which seeks to restore degraded landscapes and increase national tree cover in line with Kenya’s climate change mitigation and adaptation commitments.
Further, she reported that the supplementary allocation will enable the Ministry to settle outstanding obligations arising from court awards, which have placed additional financial pressure on the sector.
“This additional allocation will support critical programmes including the implementation of the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme, settlement of outstanding court awards, and strengthening of oversight, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure effective delivery of forestry projects,” the CS outlined.
According to Dr. Barasa, the funding will also enhance oversight, monitoring and evaluation of the various forestry and environmental projects currently being implemented by the Ministry, ensuring that programmes achieve their intended outcomes while supporting sustainable forest management and ecosystem restoration efforts across the country.
Accompanying the CS was Forestry Principal Secretary (PS) Gitonga Mugambi, who emphasised the importance of timely budgetary support to sustain operations within the forestry sector.
He noted that adequate funding for personnel emoluments is critical to ensuring staff morale, institutional stability, and the effective delivery of forest conservation and restoration programmes across the country.
Also present during the session were senior Ministry officials led by Forest Development Secretary Mr. George Tarus, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna, and Secretary Administration Mr. Patrick Meso.
By Michael Omondi
