This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
On September 24, 2019, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau directed officers in charge of all forest stations to ensure tree seedlings were available for the rehabilitation of degraded forests.
Speaking in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, during the launch of the tree planting exercise, Mr. Kamau said the revival of tree nurseries that provided adequate tree seedlings during the 1980s and 1990s would ensure the country achieved the requisite forest cover.
‘We are supporting the forest stations to make this directive possible. This year, we are committed to reviving all our tree nurseries, not only for the needs of forest stations but for the public to plant trees in their private farms,’ Mr. Kamau said.
He added that KFS was working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to make available seedlings for fruits and nuts, including avocado and macadamia, for farmers across all the counties.
‘All heads of conservancies are now under instructions to ensure that five million trees are planted in counties. We are in talks with the Ministry of Agriculture to produce seedlings of trees that are beneficial to farmers,’ said Mr. Kamau.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said the county aimed at achieving a ten percent forest cover by 2022 and eventually thirty percent cover by 2030.
‘The county will work with KFS head of conservancy to have the largest tree seedling nurseries in the country. We want to have enough seedlings to achieve our target,’ said Governor Mandago.
