About KFS
Mandate and Functions of the Kenya Forest Service
The Kenya Forest Service is a state corporation that was established under the Forest Act, 2005 (henceforth referred to as the Act). Commencing its operations in February 2007, the Service’s expressed mandate is:
To enhance development, conservation and management of Kenya’s forest resources base in all public forests, and assist County Governments to develop and manage forest resources on community and private lands for the equitable benefit of present and future generations.
In carrying out its mandate, the functions of KFS include among others:
In carrying out its mandate, the functions of KFS include among others:
- Conserve, protect and manage all public forests in accordance with the provisions of the Act
- Prepare and implement management plans for all public forests, and upon request, prepare management plan for forests on community land or private land in consultation with forest owners
- Assess applications for the use of forests and forest resources to individuals, corporate bodies and communities, and issue licenses to this effect and in accordance with the Act
- Establish and implement benefit sharing arrangements in accordance with the provisions of the Act
- Assist County Governments to build capacity for forestry development on community and private lands
- In consultation with relevant stakeholders, develop programmes for tourism and for recreational and ceremonial use of public forests
- Promote forestry education and training
- Register and maintain a register of all forest management plans on public land
- Collaborate with individuals, as well as private and public research institutions in identifying research needs and applying research findings
- Manage water catchment areas primarily for soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration and other environmental services
- Enforce the provisions of the Act and any forestry and land use rules and regulations made pursuant to any other written law
From its mandate and functions, KFS is therefore both a service provider working with partners and stakeholders for the sustainable management and utilisation of forest resources, and an enforcement agency.