Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, EBS joined Service Commanders and senior security officials at the National Youth Service (NYS) Pass-Out Parade held at the NYS Paramilitary Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
The ceremony, presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development Hon. Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, marked the successful completion of rigorous paramilitary training by newly trained NYS recruits. The training equipped the recruits with the discipline, knowledge, skills and operational capabilities required to serve and safeguard the nation.
Speaking during the ceremony, CS Ruku called for strengthened collaboration between NYS and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in tree-growing, forest conservation and landscape restoration, in support of the national tree-growing target.
KFS and NYS have an established partnership in forest conservation, through which more than 71.8 million trees have been planted since 2022. The two institutions have also partnered in seedling production under the Presidential directive for NYS to provide labour support in KFS tree nurseries.
The 22 NYS tree nurseries have a combined capacity to propagate approximately 50 million seedlings annually, complementing KFS efforts to expand seedling production and support the country’s national tree-growing ambition.
The CCF was accompanied by the Commanding Officer, Forest and Law Enforcement Academy (FOLEA), Mr. Apollinary Mwandiga, and officers from KFS Headquarters and the region.
KFS remains committed to strengthening collaboration with other uniformed and disciplined services in advancing environmental conservation, forest protection, national security, public safety and effective service delivery.
