The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, has directed the Kenya Forest Service ( KFS) to engage Community Forest Associations (CFA) in Mount Elgon, to help in the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme to boost tree growing.
Speaking during a meeting with CFA members at Saboti Forest Station in Mt Elgon, the CS acknowledged the importance of Mt Elgon Forest as a critical water catchment area for Western Kenya and beyond.
She noted that through the GEF 7 FAO Mt Elgon Project, communities have already been engaged in raising tree nurseries, adding that more project support is anticipated.
“We recognize Mt Elgon as a key water tower. We must work together with communities to restore and protect it. I have directed KFS to fast-track the engagement of CFAs in PELIS so that we can increase forest cover while also improving livelihoods,” Dr. Barasa said.
The CS encouraged community members to join the Community Forest Associations in order to benefit from government programmes and user rights.
She was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Mining, Mr Harry Kimtai, who is also the Patron of the 15 Billion Tree Growing Strategy for Mt Elgon Forest.
Mr Kimtai urged the community to explore the forest’s ecotourism potential and to enhance value chains for food crops grown around the forest.
“Mt Elgon has huge potential for ecotourism. We should also support farmers to add value to their produce so that conservation goes hand in hand with economic empowerment,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Kenya Forest Service Board, Mr Titus Korir, emphasized the need for communities to join CFAs and work closely with KFS to build their capacity to understand and utilise their user rights.
“We want communities to be true partners in forest management. When you join the CFA, you are able to access benefits and participate in decision making on how our forests are managed,” Mr Korir said.
The Chairman was accompanied by KFS Board Director Ms Jane Simita, Acting Senior Manager Legal Services Ms Laura Yego, Regional Forest Conservator Mr John Rono, County Forest Conservator Mr Joseph Mbugua and CFA Coordinator Josyline Thambu.
Also present were the Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Alason Hussein and officials of the nine CFAs in the county.
Mt Elgon Forest is one of Kenya’s five major water towers and supports millions of people in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda.
The Government, through the 15 Billion Tree Growing Strategy, targets to increase the country’s forest cover to 30 percent by 2032.
By Isaiah Nayika
