KFS gets 3,231 new officers as government confirms 46 permanent jobs

The government has announced plans to confirm 46  Kenya Forest Service (KFS) staff who have been serving in acting capacity to permanent and pensionable terms. 

Speaking on Tuesday during her maiden visit to the KFS headquarters along Kiambu Road, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the move aligns with the institution's spirit of investing in human capital to realise its goals. 

"I have instructed the board to ensure that they expedite the process of confirming the staff into permanent and pensionable," she said, 

Additionally, the CS revealed that the government has recruited over 3000 new staff deployed across the country. 

"We have successfully recruited, deployed 2,664 rangers, 102 forest inspectors, and 465 foresters across various stations,' she stated.

"This strategic investment in human capital aims to significantly enhance forest surveillance, protection, and sustainable management, particularly in the face of alarming issues such as illegal logging, charcoal burning, and encroachment," she said. 

Currently, KFS has 6500 staff across the country against the required 8274, leaving a human capital deficit that the Ministry claims affects the delivery of services, according to the agency.  

Additionally, CS Barasa also announced plans by the Ministry to fence 8,500 kilometres of forest boundaries, and rehabilitate and improve 8,100 kilometres of forest roads to facilitate better access monitoring and protection efforts.

She further noted the Ministry will unveil measures to cushion entity from financial shocker in the wake of US funding cuts under Donald Trump's leadership as US President. 

"It's time to create a financially self-sufficient KFS that can fulfil its obligations and maintain operations even amidst fiscal challenges," she said. 

This, she said, may involve exploring forest-based enterprises, ecotourism, carbon credits, and or forming a strategic partnership even as she urged the public to commit to planting trees initiatives to attain the government's 15 billion trees by 2032. 

"I urge a significant escalation in our efforts to produce high-quality seedlings, offer expert technical assistance, provide essential forest extension services, and enhance community capacity to ensure the success of this transformative national agenda.