KFS plans to fence Ngong Road Forest as part of conservation efforts

A section of the electric fence around Mt Kenya Forest [File, Standard]

The Kenya Forest Services (KFS) has announced government plans to erect an electric fence at Ngong Road Forest.

This, KFS says will be a partnership with the support of the I&M Foundation to construct an electric fence around the Sanctuary Block of Ngong Road Forest. 

"This transformative initiative of electrically fencing off the 14.2 KM perimeter of the Sanctuary Block is projected to be complete in April 2025," KFS says.

In a public notice issued Thursday, November 28, KFS has said that fencing the sanctuary will act as a key intervention in consolidating forest conservation and protection gains. 

"Forest fencing has numerous benefits to forests and the people that depend on them. It constitutes a management approach that improves forest protection, spurs natural regeneration and provides controlled access to forests for adjacent communities and visitors," KFS communique reads in part.

Furthermore, fencing protects fragile ecosystems and improves the micro-climate.

Ngong Road Forest was gazetted in 1932 through proclamation No. 44. It was designated a Central Government Forest Reserve in 1964 through legal notice No. 174 .

 It covers an area of 1,224.4 Ha comprising of 886.72 Ha of natural, and 337.68 Ha of plantation forests. It is segmented into five administrative units namely Miotoni, Lenana, Karen, Sanctuary and Bomas Blocks.

 The Sanctuary Block is the largest block covering 695.3 Hectares.

 This block mainly constitutes shrubs, grasslands, and scattered plantations of Eucalyptus species. 

As a safeguard for effective and efficient fence management, a six-meter-wide path will be created along the 14.2-Kilometer perimeter. Ngong Road Forest is managed in partnership with the Community Forest Association, who together with the Service generate a Participatory Forest Management Plan.