The Kenya Forest Service has lost nine rangers while in the line of duty.
Out of the nine deaths, two were as a result of accidents while in the line of duty while seven were as a result of sickness.
The deaths and injuries were reported in the last financial year.
Injuries range from accidents and minor to grievous bodily harm inflicted by criminals through blatant attacks and damage to personal property or through motor vehicle accidents.
KFS Chief Conservator Julius Kamau described the rangers as “unsung heroes in the conservation of our critical forest resources”.
“They are stationed in the remotest part and deepest end of the forest, they stand guard both day and night under harsh weather conditions and patrols through ragged geographical terrains just to ensure the safety of our national heritage,” Kamau said.
Kamau on Friday led other senior officials at KFS headquarters in Karura to commemorate this year’s World Rangers Day.
The world marks World Rangers Day on July 31 to commemorate rangers injured or killed in the line of duty and to celebrate the work they do to protect the planet’s natural treasures, and cultural heritage, including natural resources (forests) critical to human lives and livelihoods.
Kamau cited instances where his rangers lost their lives or even sustained injuries while in the line of duty.
He for instance cited a case of two lady rangers who were patrolling within Kuresoi forest within the larger Mau Complex Ecosystem where they were accosted and physically assaulted by criminals whom they encountered inside the forest making charcoal.
“They suffered injuries and had to be taken to hospital for medical intervention,” he said.
Kamau said the service this year lost a dedicated forest ranger through an early morning accident which occurred around Makutano junction in Kericho County.
The rangers were on their way to work when an accident occurred leaving them with serious injuries in which one succumbed while receiving treatment.
The others survived with one having his limbs amputated and currently on crashes while the other is still under medication.
Kamau lauded the sterling performance of his rangers saying they helped the country attain 12.23 per cent tree cover and 8.83 per cent forest cover which is an improvement from the 5.99 per cent that was recorded in 2018.
The National Forest Resources Assessment Report 2021 which was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 27, 2022, at the state House, detailed the success.
“The question is, to whom shall we accord this credit? While we appreciate the respective roles played by each of us and our stakeholders in the conservation of forests and allied resources, the one who bears the brunt of its protection is the forest rangers,” Kamau said.
Kamau noted the shortage of rangers saying the international recommended ratio in regard to forest protection is 1:400 Ha if the ranger is equipped.
However, the current Kenya ratio stands at 1:1200 Ha, making the work of the ranger more strenuous and challenging.
KFS manages 6.4 million acres of forests and helps counties manage another 4.2 million acres.
During the commemoration of the day last year, KFS said it had lost two rangers.
Another 18 were injured in the line of duty.
The CCF said over and above the forest protection duties, KFS also supports and participate in other National Security operations alongside other National duties, a move that has come with a lot of price as the criminal elements take advantage to invade forests while employing the use of dangerous implements and weapons in their greed for the forest resources.
In order to cushion Forest rangers and officers from any expenditure arising from work-related injuries among other illnesses, Kamau said KFS has provided a Staff Medical Cover for them and their families.
He said KFS equally invokes the Work Injury and Benefits Act (WIBA) to compensate those officers who may have lost their lives or get injuries in the line of duty.
KFS also have the officers covered under National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), a government intervention toward Universal Health Care/Insurance.
Kamau said housing facilities for the forest rangers were being enhanced.
He said KFS will explore and strive to engage our stakeholders in the conservation sector to partner in supporting and appreciating our rangers during ranger’s day.
KFS recently promoted 413 staff members as part of the succession planning, career progression and boosting the morale.
Those promoted included 244 Constable rangers to the rank of a Corporal, 85 Corporals to the rank of Sergeant, 35 Sergeants to the rank of Inspectors, one Chief Inspector to the rank of Superintendent, 6 Superintendent to the rank of Senior Superintendent, 21 Conservator II to Conservator 1 and 21 Assistant Conservator to Conservator II.
Kamau said they have proposed to have in place a hall of fame/heroes corner at KFS headquarters where the names of departed rangers will be inscribed for remembrance in perpetuity.
KFS Commandant Alex Lemarkoko said being a ranger is a calling to implement God’s instructions.
“It is a difficult and tough undertaking,” he said.
Lemarkoko said the threats facing the environment are dynamic and intensify asking his rangers to be innovative.
He said the rangers are well-rounded because they are armed, engage the public well, supervise what is happening in protected forest areas and even collect specimens whenever diseases strike before forwarding them to the Kenya Forest Research Institute.
Lemarkoko said challenges facing rangers will continuously be addressed.
