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KFS WINS TOP AWARD AT MOMBASA A.S.K SHOW |
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KFS Staff at the Coast Conservancy were all smiles after winning first prize for the best stand that demonstrates Herbal Medicine at the Mombasa Agricultural Show which took place from 11th to 15th August 2010. The team also received the third prize for the Best Government Large Trade stand. According to the Head of Coast Conservancy Mr. Dedan Nderitu, a lot of effort had been utilized in preparing the stand, and despite the stiff competition, the awards were in recognition of KFS important role in promoting forestry in the coastal region.
The KFS stand consisted of an outdoor model of the Coast Conservancy, farm forestry practices, indigenous forests, and forest based entrepreneur’s displays. Exhibitors from the Tree Biotechnology Project were also present at the stand, and many visitors sought answers to the Eucalyptus tree species which has been at the center of various debates. WWF, one of KFS partner organizations, was at hand to display butterfly farming products, a project which is ongoing in Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Models of mangrove forests which are unique to the coastal ecosystem were also on site, and turtles which rely on this unique forest were also put on display. Eco tourism, which forms a backbone for the coastal economy was also expounded upon through various models. Visitors to the stand also got to observe various wild animals such as crocodiles and snakes for which forests provide a natural habitat.
His Excellency the President Hon. Mwai Kibaki, presents a certificate to Mr. Godfrey Makoha, KFS Assistant Head of Conservancy Coast, for attaining the best stand that demonstrates Herbal Medicine at the Mombasa Agricultural Show
Show goers pay keen attention to Mr. Evans Arori, Assistant Head of Conservancy Coast, as he explains the importance of trees in providing raw materials for wood carvers, a source of livelihood for hundreds of people. |
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Forestry Minister assures lifting of logging ban |
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Forestry and Wildlife Minister Dr. Noah Wekesa has assured the partial logging ban imposed in October 1999 will soon be lifted. In a speech read on his behalf by the Ministryy's Permanent Secretary Mr. Mohammed Wa-Mwachai at the Kenya Forestry College (Friday, 20th August), Dr. Wekesa said there is every indication that the partial ban on plantation forest harvesting will be done away with.
The partial ban has given rise to lucrative black market for timber thereby creating an incentive for illegal logging. This has driven the cost of forest policing and enforcement sky-high depriving other forest management practices like conservation and forest establishment of scarce resources.
He said the ban though well intended has been an invisible driver of illegal logging by placing the value on timber very high resulting in attractive returns for the illegally obtained forest products especially timber.
Due to the partial ban, 95,000 acres of over-mature forest industrial plantation valued at over KSh 36 billion are undergoing value deterioration due to heart rot and windfalls. At the same time, there are approximately 45,000 acres of forest plantations between ages 10 & 22 due for commercial thinning with potential to generate KSh. 3.5 billion.
He said his Ministry through the Kenya Forest Service has generated plantation logging plans, and is soon going to complete an inventory that will establish with precision the extent of forest plantations in Kenya. Currently the forest plantation estate is 312,500 acres that comprises 6% of the gazetted forests.
Shortage of timber in the market has led to over-cutting of private forests and wood-lots, trees that are meant for soil and water conservation on farm lands.
He noted that when the ban is lifted, allocation of harvesting areas will be through the provisions of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005 that provides for competitive bidding, while maintaining a reserve price. |
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Developing countries set to benefit from genetic resources |
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Communities in developing countries that have lost their genetic resources and derivatives from natural resources to the developed world for several decades may soon start benefiting once the internationally binding agreement comes into force.
The negotiators are also pushing for the regime to allow the countries sell their products globally and also to have powers in lodging complaints from countries that trade in the products illegally.
"We strongly recommend an agreement that could help us access, safeguard, manage and benefit from our natural forests globally," Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Deputy Director for Natural Resources Esau Omollo reveals.
Omollo says that once signed and comes in force later in the year (2010), the agreement will safeguard against piracy as it will make it possible for the prosecution of the people involved in illegal trade.
He observes that through the regime, all countries are expected to benefit from the resources through control of their forests.
The developing countries are also looking for mechanisms that could allow them repatriate some benefits from developed countries to their member countries to benefit the communities where the products were taken from.
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New Constitution will help replenish forest cover |
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The new constitution gives legal basis and hopes to reinstate the forest cover, firmly deal with challenges of climate change and better lives. We must think green and act green!
The chapter of land and environment has clearly come up with both long term and short term remedies to the environment which gives hope of a better Kenya.
The following suggestions may enable Kenya to increase its forest cover to 10 per cent and beyond while creating peace good health and livelihood to its people through environmental conservation efforts.
The government should address double gazettement of forests such as the Mt Kenya and Shimba Hills at the Coast.
The two have been gazetted as Forests at the same time as National and Game reserves.
The challenge posed is that whereas the Forests Act 2005 allows community participation in conservation the Wildlife Act does not allow.
This has adversely affected conservation. Not only are the lead-agencies, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), at a loss on who should take charge of the area, but also other partners are unsure who to deal with.
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The third bunch of KFS senior officers training at the Administration Police Senior Staff College in Emali are scheduled to graduate on 23rd July 2010. The group consisting 34 officers of the ranks of Assistant Director and above has successfully completed the six weeks paramilitary training and looking forward to their graduation.
 
The group comprises five ladies and twenty nine gentlemen, marking it so far, the group with the highest numbers of ladies training in a group. Those interviewed indicated the training has been tough but worth it.
While the whole team has excelled four individuals displayed outstanding performance and are lined up for awards. They include for the award of "student of the Course" Assistant Director in charge of PFM and Fire Management Mr. Daniel Mbithi; for the award of "Best Officer in Drill" Assistant Director in charge of the Lake Victoria Management Project Ms. Beatrice Mbula; for the award of "All Round Lady Student" Senior Assistant Director in charge of Farm Forestry Ms. Jennifer Ngige who was also the parade adjutant; And finally for the award of "Best Marksman"Assistant Director deputizing NRM project implementation Mr. Jafferson M. Kitti. Mr. Kitti scored154 points out of a possible 200 points.
   
From left to right: Mr. Daniel Mbithi(student of the Course),Ms. Beatrice Mbula(Best Officer in Drill),Ms. Jennifer Ngige(All Round Lady Student) and Mr. Jafferson M. Kitti(Best Marksman)
During a rehearsal for the parade early Thursday, the Commandant AP Training College Mr. Omar Abdi Shurie, MBS, OGW, HSC, EXCEL GD II (EGY) who was presiding the event noted the group had put in tremendous effort and the results were paying off. He encouraged the team to utilize the remaining between now and the event time to perfect the parade presentation.
The graduation ceremony will be presided over by the KFS Board of Management Chairman Prof. Richard Musangi. |
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