Kenya Forest shakes up staff, sends officers on leave

 Judy Wakhungu inspects a passing out parade for forest officers at the Kenya Forest Service Londiani Paramilitary

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has announced key management changes geared at giving the organisation a boost.

In the changes announced by KFS Chairman Peter Kimathi Kinyua, he said the board had appointed Monica Kalenda as the acting chief forest conservator, replacing Emilio Mugo who has stepped aside pending investigations.

The appointment of Ms Kalenda, a seasoned forest resources management expert, Kinyua said, would accelerate ongoing reforms initiated by the KFS board. The reforms are aimed at enhancing forest conservation countrywide.  Kalenda will be deputised by Esau Omollo.

Other key appointments include Charity Munyasia as deputy chief conservator of forests and Patrick Kariuki as deputy chief conservator of farm and drylands.

The former Commandant, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests in charge of Forests Protection and Security, Mr Alex Lemarkoko, has been redeployed to serve as the acting head of administration and human resources management.

In his place, Wilson Oleleeboo takes over as the acting commandant, head of forests protection and security.

Anastasia Muasya takes over from Patrick Nyaga as the acting head of finance. John Mburu takes over as the head of procurement and supply chain following the stepping aside of Victor Kobia.

To spearhead field services reforms, Ezekiel Korir takes over as acting head of plantation and enterprise division, replacing Simiyu Wasike. Mary Mwai, Fred Ogombe and Samuel Ihure take over as acting head of conservation eastern, head of conservation Mau and central highland conservancies.