County given mandate to manage forests

The national government has transferred 44 forests from the Kenya Forestry Services (KFS) to the county government.

Speaking on Saturday at Dawson Mwanyumba stadium, Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu announced the changes and said her ministry has finalised the review of the Forest Act 2005 and the National Forrest Policy.

"Taita Taveta has become the first county to finalise its transition plan for devolved forestry function," said the CS.

Governor John Mruttu said his administration is ready for the 21 functions that follow the transfer and will establish laws and policies to support them.

Wakhungu said the review of laws and policies will involve county governments, the national assembly and the Senate. She pointed out that the revised law and policy will enable county governments, private sector as well as residents be part of the sustainable management of forests.

Wakhungu was accompanied by her Principal Secretary Margaret Mwakima, Mruttu, KFS Board chairman Peter Kirigua among other officials.

During the ceremony, KFS officially handed over 44 out of 68 government managed forests in the region to the county.

The region has a total of more than 14,000 hectares of forest land. Out of these, the county government will now manage about 10,000 hectares while KFS will handle 4,000 hectares.

Kirigua said KFS recently recruited 244 rangers to boost forest protection in the country.

He said KFS is also in talks with Taita-Taveta University College and Ben Gurion University in Negev, Israel, to promote education and training on Arid and Semi-Arid lands, with emphasis on forestry.