National oil, Kenya forest in a deal to boost forest cover

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has signed a partnership agreement with the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) for the establishment of tree nurseries, raising and sourcing of seedlings for tree growing activities and promotion of tree planting activities.

Mr Peter Kinyua KFS Board Chairman and Kibuga Kariithi, NOCK Board Chairman were present to witness the signing of the agreement which was done by KFS Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau and CEO NOCK MaryJane Mwangi.

This partnership is in line with a government directive for all its agencies to commit ten per cent of CSR budgets to the tree growing for the achievement of 10 per cent tree cover by 2022.

Five million tree seedlings will be planted through this partnership agreement including raising of fruit trees to boost food security and growing of bamboo.

Forest adjacent communities in the project areas will be trained on the use of LPG gas, which will eventually help reduce fuel wood as a source of energy thereby boost conservation of forests.
KFS will plant indigenous tree seedlings as well as fruit trees and bamboo.

Rolling out of this partnership will be done through a joint committee. The KFS is working towards engaging many more Government and Corporate organisations for the realisation of tree planting targets.