This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
On May 15, 2020, Kenya Forest Service Chairman Peter Kinyua led a stakeholders meeting in Mukogodo forest, Laikipia County, to harmonize Community Forest Association (CFA) management with the Law requirements.
Chairman Kinyua emphasized that conforming to the law is essential for communities living adjacent to forests to participate in forest activities, access stakeholder funding, and related support.
He noted that the 30,159 Ha. Mukogodo Forest has been well-conserved thanks to productive partnerships among several stakeholders, adjacent communities, and the Kenya Forest Service.
According to Chairman Kinyua, the number of registered CFAs has dropped from 354 to 255 due to conformity and compliance with the requirements by the Registrar of Societies, which includes submitting annual returns, audited accounts, holding elections in line with CFA Constitutions, and annually updating their registers.
Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau echoed Chairman Kinyua's sentiments, stating that to actualize participatory forest management, forest adjacent communities must be fully and actively involved.
Mr. Kamau also emphasized that CFA membership enrollment is for the willing and must be conducted in public forums.
He thanked the community for their active involvement in the conservation of the forest and noted that development actors willing to support CFAs must do so within the structures provided by the Law.
CFAs, such as the one led by Chairman Tema Karamwishwo, have been working closely with local Chiefs and have engaged 12 forest scouts to patrol the forest.
Chairman Karamwishwo receives daily intelligence reports from the community and communicates suspect activities to law enforcement agencies.
