About KFS
Mandate and Functions of the Kenya Forest Service
Provide for the development and sustainable management, including conservation and rational utilization of all forest resources for the socio-economic development of the country and for connected purposes.
In carrying out its mandate, the functions of KFS include among others:
- Conserve, protect and manage all Public Forests
- Prepare and implement management plans for all public forests, and, where requested, assist in preparation of management plans for community forests or private forests in consultation with the relevant owners
- Receive and consider applications for licenses or permits in relation to forest resources or management of forests or any other relevant matter in accordance with the Act
- Establish and implement benefit sharing arrangements in accordance with the provision of the Act
- Assist Country Governments to build capacity in forestry and forest management in the counties
- 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 prepared for public forests
- Collaborate with relevant persons in identifying research needs and applying research findings in relation to forests and forestry
- Manage water catchment areas in relation to soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration and other environmental services in collaboration with relevant stakeholders
- Prepare Forest status report for the Cabinet Secretary once in every two years
- Prepare resource assessment report for the Cabinet Secretary once in every five years
- Consider and recommend to the Cabinet Secretary the determination and alteration of boundaries of public forests on un-alienated public land or any other public land
- Establish forest conservancy areas for purposes of conservation and management
- Approve the provision of credit facilities and technical training for community based forest industries and the provision of incentives to persons for the sustainable utilization of wood and non-wood forest products
- Implement and enforce rules and regulations governing importation, exportation and trade in forest produce
- Develop, maintain and regularly update a geographic information system database of all forests in Kenya
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.