The Long Rains Tree Growing Season was launched at a colourful ceremony in Chepalungu Forest Station, Bomet County by the KFS Board Chairman Mr. Titus Korir. Over 200,000 seedlings trees were grown on 200 ha during the event which also marked the launch of the construction of a 22km electric fence around the Siongiroi Block of the forest. The fence which has been put up with support from the African Development Bank through the Green Zones Development Support Project (GZDSP II) will protect the Siongiroi Block from destruction and allow it to rehabilitate through natural regeneration.
The function also saw the launching of the KFS Strategic Plan 2023-2027 which will guide the Service in executing its mandate towards the achievement of the 30 % tree cover by 2032.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman said that KFS had drawn it’s strategic plan to respond to the present realities of forest conservation including the need to grow over 15 billion trees in the next eight years in order to attain a sustainable tree and forest cover that will guarantee Kenya’s social and economic development. He thanked development partners who had come onboard to support the protection and conservation of forests noting that tree growing was a responsibility for all citizens both corporate and individual.
Speaking at the same event, the Principal Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Ms. Charity Munyasia who was representing the CCF Mr. Alex Lemarkoko thanked the Siongiroi community for resolving to conserve their forest which been under the threat of degradation due to illegal human activities. She added that KFS will continue to work with community forest associations to conserve forests and empower them through sustainable income generating activities.
According to the CEC for Environment Dr. Bernard Tonui, the County Government of Bomet had deployed 25 forest officers and was also promoting farm forestry. Bomet County is implementing Climate Change Action Plan with support from World Bank.
The Chairman was accompanied by other Board Members including Dr. George Muthike, Jane Simitia and Elizabeth Wamae. Also present was the Bomet County Commissioner Dr. Omar Ahmed among other senior officers from the national and county governments.
