Communities living adjacent to forest resources have faulted the government for failing to appoint one of their own to the board of Kenya Forest Service.
National Alliance of Community Forest Associations secretary Gerald Ngatia on Monday said the morale of Community Forest Associations is low.
“The changes (effected on Friday) are not in the best interest as the person who replaced Zakayo Maina at the board is not a member of Community Forest Association but a politician,” Ngatia said.
On Friday, the state instituted changes at the KFS board after revelations that some of the members were active in logging.
President William Ruto appointed Titus Korir as KFS board chairperson.
In a gazette notice on Friday, the President revoked the appointment of Job Chirchir.
Ruto who has the mandate of appointing the chairperson of the board said Korir will serve in the position for three years.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 9(1) (a) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, I William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Titus Kipkoech Korir to be the chairperson of Kenya Forest Service, for a period of three years, with effect from the October 23, 2023," Ruto said in gazette notice No. 13860 and dated October 12.
Environment CS Soipan Tuya also instituted changes that affected Maina.
In a gazette notice on Friday, Tuya replaced Maina with Jane Munka whose appointment takes effect from October 23, for three years.
The changes were contained in a gazette notice No. 13868.
CFAs have been instrumental in the protection and management of public forests in the country and also in the restoration of degraded forest sites, riparian areas and on-farm tree planting programmes.
They have also been playing key roles in tree nursery management where tree seedlings for both forests and on-farm projects have nurtured an effort that has moved the country from a low three per cent in the 80s to over eight per cent forest cover last year.
“Without community support, the government alone would not have made those steps,” Ngatia said.
CFAs have also been complementing the efforts to fight off forest fires.
Ngatia said a representative in KFS board acts as a link between communities the ministry, KFS and other partners.
“World over, actors in the environment sector are talking about more and more community involvement in the management of forests and landscapes. Exclusion of communities will have serious negative effects,” he said.
Ngatia said it is very important that a person nominated to such a high position be an active CFA member, known by CFAs and communities in many parts of the country, one who has a direct link with CFAs and other partners in the sector.
“KFS board presently has a very big task ahead to ensure they come up with programmes and activities that will help the ministry and government achieve its set target of growing billion trees by the year 2032, and also tries and minimise the negative effects of climate change the country is presently going through.”
Ngatia said it will not be easy for the ministry and KFS to achieve the high targets without the involvement of CFAs.