State gazettes 22 new forest areas

The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife has gazetted 22 new forests that cover 232,000 hectares across the country.

The gazetted forests will now be under the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), says a notice signed in the Kenya gazette by the former Minister Noah Wekesa.

The gazette notice comes after concerted efforts by KFS to secure vital forests and conserve them. This latest Government initiative is meant to achieve a 10 percent forest cover as envisaged in the vision 2030 objectives.

The gazetted areas include Mnangei/Siyoi forest in West Pokot, Makunga forest in Trans Nzoia County and Maranga forest in Embu County. Others are Mutha, Maai and Nthoani forests in Kitui County, Misango Hills forest in Butere /Mumias County and Wayu, Hewani, Mwina and Kokani forests in Tana River County.

Also listed are Got Otaro and Kimanyi forests in South Nyanza County, God Kwer forest in Migori, Wire Ranen and Kuja Bull Camp Forest in South Nyanza County. Bangali forest in Garissa and Mbalambala in Tana River County are also gazette

Recently, KFS acquired a fixed wing plane from Kansas in United States worth Sh234 million ($2.8 million) to assist in surveillance and protection of the country’s forests.

The chairman of KFS Peter Kirigua, while receiving the plane said the creation of KFS in 2005 has seen the country’s forest cover   rise to almost seven per cent.

 Permanent Secretary for Forestry and Wildlife Hyslop Ipu said KFS has adopted new technology, such as the GIS technology at Karura station and a fleet of new heavy and light vehicles for effective forest management.

The Director of KFS David Mbugua said in addition to ongoing conservation efforts, the service would acquire a helicopter to add to the fixed wing plane to enhance its forest surveillance and protect these conserved areas against encroachment and illegal logging.