• The pass out parade will be conducted at the Forest Law Enforcement Academy at the National Youth Service paramilitary academy in Gilgil, Nakuru county.
• Kenya Forest Service Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko said the 2,664 recruits have undergone six months of paramilitary training, and are now competent and ready for deployment to various duty stations.
Image: Handout.
President William Ruto will on Wednesday preside over the passing out ceremony for the newest cohort of forest rangers.
The pass out parade will be conducted at the Forest Law Enforcement Academy at the National Youth Service paramilitary academy in Gilgil, Nakuru county.
Kenya Forest Service Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko said the 2,664 recruits have undergone six months of paramilitary training, and are now competent and ready for deployment to various duty stations.
“We have been having serious shortage translating into poor control of our forest resources we manage,” Lemarkoko said.
He said the last recruitment of rangers was done in 2002, where 1,000 rangers were employed. Many have retired.
Lemarkoko said the shortage of staff within the service has seen 400 rangers deployed to other duties such as driving and other office work, leaving 1,200 available for foot patrol, which he said is effective.
The CCF said rangers have been deployed to be in command, band, and security of KFS infrastructure.
Lemarkoko said the new rangers will find it tough as they are supposed fill the gap that has been in the service.
He said the shortage has seen Community Forest Associations fill the gap.
“I welcome them to KFS family as this is the best place to work and build their careers,” Lemarkoko said, adding that the new recruits will have an expanded mandate.
During the pass out ceremony, rangers will demonstrate the various forest protection tactics that they have learnt during their training.
They will display various skills that they have acquired during training that include martial arts, silent drill, song and dance, as well as the traditional parade.
Lemarkoko said the rangers have undergone training in several forest law enforcement approaches including human-rights based approach to law enforcement, law and policy development and implementation, battle tactics, KFS procedures, criminal justice system procedures among others.
They will help deter forest destruction and to work with forestry players in promoting conservation.
Lemarkoko advised the young rangers to uphold integrity in the execution of their duties.
He also informed them that they will be required to work closely with various stakeholders including Community Forest Association to advance the development of forestry in the country.
Lemarkoko reiterated that they will be posted to areas currently experiencing challenges of forest destruction due to a shortage of Rangers so that they can restore order and prevent forest offences.
The rangers have for the last few days been conducting dress rehearsals.
On Monday, Members of National Assembly Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining led by vice-chairperson Charles Kamuren (Baringo South) made an inspection visit to the rangers.
The committee that was hosted by hosted by the acting KFS Commandant David Chege got the taste of the drills that the recruits displayed.
Kamuren noted that the rangers are among the first mass recruitment.
He said the sole purpose for that is to achieve the 15 billion tree cover as stipulated by the President by 2032.
“So, as you go out there take your oath of service seriously and work as it instructs. You are the image of KFS,” Kamuren said.
The rangers will also be expected to assist in the raising of seedlings and tree planting in order to help the country achieve the envisioned 30 per cent tree cover by 2032.
KFS is the lead agency tasked with the implementation of the government's agenda of attaining 30 per cent tree cover by 2032, up from the current 12.13 per cent.
The service protects 6.4 million acres of gazetted forests and another 420 million acres under counties.
The state needs at least Sh600 billion to enhance tree cover in the next 10 years.
Statistics from the state show that the forest cover increased from 5.9 per cent in 2018 to 8.83 per cent in 2021. The national tree cover stands at 12.13 per cent, above the constitutional target of 10 per cent.
Results generated from the National Forest Resources Assessment 2021 show that the country has 5.2 million ha of national forest cover, which represents 8.83 per cent of the total area.
KFS has announced that it has provided more than 18 million seedlings for planting countrywide during the short rains season.
On September 11, Lemarkoko said it intends to continue raising more high-quality tree seedlings.
Lemarkoko said the service has received 4,680 kilo grams of assorted tree seeds from the Kenya Forestry Research Institute.
"The seeds have already been distributed to KFS tree nurseries countrywide, for production of more than 200 million seedlings for planting from the next tree planting season," Lemarkoko said.
Lemarkoko said besides the tree seedlings available in KFS tree nurseries, there are also tree seedlings available in private tree nurseries and within nurseries operated by other institutions.
"Some 42 million seedlings are currently available in all for planting in the current rainy season," Lemarkoko said.
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